Peri-implant bone tissue assessment by comparing the outcome of intra-oral radiograph and cone beam computed tomography analyses to the histological standard.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aims to identify radiographic methods revealing data that are most representative for the true peri-implant bone as assessed by histology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty implants were placed in 10 minipigs. To assess matching between different image modalities, measurements conducted on intra-oral digital radiographs (IO), cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) and histological images were correlated using Spearman's correlation. Paired tests (Wilcoxon test) were used to determine changes in the bone parameters after 2 and 3 months of healing.

RESULTS

Significant correlations between bone defect depth on IO and histological slices (r= + 0.7, P<0.01), as well as on CBCT images and histological slices (r= + 0.61, P<0.01), were found. CBCT and IO images deviate, respectively, 1.20 and 1.17 mm from the histology regarding bone defects. No significant correlations were detected between fractal analysis on CBCT, intra-oral radiography and histology. For bone density assessment, significant but weaker correlations (r= + 0.5, P<0.01) were found for intra-oral radiography vs. histology. Significant marginal bone-level changes could be observed after 3 months of healing using intra-oral radiography.

CONCLUSIONS

This study allowed linking radiographic bone defect depth to the histological observations of the peri-implant bone. Minute bone changes during a short-term period can be followed up using digital intra-oral radiography. Radiographic fractal analysis did not seem to match histological fractal analysis. CBCT was not found to be reliable for bone density measures, but might hold potential with regard to the structural analysis of the trabecular bone.