Authors: Dovolani T, Veliçkovski B, Dimitrovski O.

DOI: To be acquired

Keywords: Dental implants, orthopantomogram, CBCT.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Radiographic evaluation is crucial in dental implant treatment planning. Most used methods are the classical orthopantomogram, and the lately used method of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Aim: Comparative analysis of the information about bone height and width, obtained using orthopantomogram and CBCT, during dental implant treatment planning in posterior maxilla.
Materials and methods: Patients included in the study had at least one tooth missing in posterior maxillary region. In orthopantomogram, in every region planned for dental implant placement, was measured the vertical dimension of the alveolar process. Whilst in the cross section images of CBCT, in each region planned for implant placement, was measured the vertical and horizontal dimension of bone.
Results: In the study participated 44 individuals (26 men and 18 women). The greatest mean value for vertical dimension measured using CBCT was in the region of right-first premolar (15.24 mm. ± 4.51), while the greatest mean value measured with orthopantomogram was in the region of right-first premolar (16.50 mm. ± 4.15). By using orthopantomogram were measured greater values for bone height compared with CBCT, but the difference was not significant. The greatest mean value for bone width resulted in the region of left- second molar (16.50 mm. ± 4.15).
Conclusion: Orthopantomogram is a safe method for dental implant treatment planning. CBCT is the method of choice in cases of deficient bone width and bone hight.