Presurgical Assessment of Anatomical Landmark Position Using Two Views of Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A Comparative Radiological Study.

BACKGROUND

Cone beam computerized computed tomography (CBCT) has been widely indicated in dental implant procedure. The first step that the doctors should perform in local hospitals is to use orthopantomography for surgical planning to avoid and limit the risk of complications. As a result, determining the magnification amount of orthopantomography to achieve a precise diagnosis is clinically important. This study investigated the difference in measurement of the mental foramen (MF) position before dental surgery using 2 views of CBCT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cone beam computed tomography scan was performed for 100 patients who required implant placement. In the panoramic and three-dimensional views of CBCT, the vertical distance between the margin of the mandible and the lower border of MF, and the horizontal distance between the mandibular symphysis and the mesial anterior border of MF were calculated. The differences between the 2 views were compared using Wilcoxon-rank U test with P value ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The findings of this study showed a substantial statistical difference in the horizontal distance for the dentate patients in panoramic and three-dimensional views (22.7 ± 3.04 versus 21.1 ± 1.6), (22.5 ± 2.4 versus 20.9 ± 1.5) and left side (22.4 ± 2.8 versus 21.2 ± 1.6), (22.4 ± 2.8 versus 20.6 ± 1.4) of both genders. Concerning the vertical distance, a significant difference was also observed in the dentate (12.1 ± 2.1 versus 11.1 ± 1.4), (10.6 ± 1.4 versus 9.6 ± 1.3) and left side of the jaw (11.6 ± 1.95 versus 10.9 ± 1.2), (10.5 ± 1.2 versus 9.96 ± 1.4) for both genders in both views. In the edentulous and right side of the jaw, however no statistical difference was observed between male and female patients in terms of horizontal and vertical measurements.