02 January 2023

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Comparison of dental CBCT imaging protocols in dental implant surgery

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In a study published Dec. 14 in The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, a research team led by a team at the University of Zurich found that low-dose CBCT imaging protocols provide accurate 3D anatomical information with an improved benefit-risk ratio. Researchers said the use of low-dose CBCT could become “a promising option as a primary diagnostic modality as well as for radiologic follow-up,” according to the study. 

In this preclinical comparison study, researchers assessed the diagnostic accuracy of low-dose CBCT protocols compared with standard-dose in digital implant treatment planning and template-guided implant surgery. The team analyzed 30 mandibles of pig cadavers using both CBCT protocols on an Orthophos SL Unit (Dentsply-Sirona). 

They conducted surface scans to create a digital diagnostic wax-up followed by 120 subsequent implant plannings (one implant per quadrant). Using simple randomization (1:1), researchers assigned each quadrant into one of the imaging protocols. 

Sixty implant surgical guides were manufactured using CAD/CAM technology, followed by the fully guided placement of 60 implants following the surgical protocol in randomized order. Geometric accuracy between the planned and definitive implant position was determined regarding apical distances between the central axes and angle deviation. Descriptive statistics and linear regressions were used for the statistical analysis of the data. 

The team observed the following differences: apical deviation of 0.75 ± 0.63 mm and angular deviation of 2.5 ± 2.12 degrees, while the standard-dose CBCT showed the following results: apical deviation of 0.92 ± 0.55 mm and angular deviation of 3.06 ± 2.12 degrees. 

The regression analyses could not show evidence for a significant difference between the two CBCT protocols, neither regarding the apical distance nor in view of the angular deviation. 

Read more in the journal at: http://www.quintpub.com/journals/omi/abstract.php?article_id=22884#.Y6tk1tXMJPY