| This project assessed the capabilities and limitations of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in the determination of internal anatomy, bone dimensions, and bone density prior to dental implant placement. The overall hypothesis tested was: "There will be no statistically significant differences in pre-surgical dental implant assessment of bone properties between Caliper, CBCT, micro Computed Tomography (microCT), and DXA-BMD (Dual X-ray Absorptiometry-Bone Mineral Density Analysis-Piximus) analysis." To achieve this goal, three aims were addressed: (1) To identify and localize the internal anatomy (mandibular canal and mental foramen) using visual assessment, CBCT, and microCT measurements for the mandibular pre-surgical radiographic assessment (2) To evaluate external bone dimensions, such as bone height/long axis and width of the alveolar bone, using Digital caliper, CBCT, and microCT measurements for the pre-surgical radiographic assessment of the mandibular and maxillary bones and (3) To identify differences between CBCT, microCT, and DXA-BMD analysis in the assessment of bone density. Five mandibles and maxillas from human cadavers were imaged using CBCT, microCT, and DXA-BMD. Different concentrations of Hydroxyapatite were used as standards to correlate data between techniques. Comparisons between assessment modalities were performed using One-Factor ANOVA, independent T-test, and Pearson correlation coefficient at alpha=.05. CBCT and microCT were identical in their ability to detect the internal anatomy. There were no statistically significant differences between Digital Caliper, CBCT, and microCT measurements in the pre-surgical assessment of bone height, nor were there statistically significant differences between CBCT and microCT measurements of the mandibular canal or maxilla bone height and width. There were statistically significant differences between Digital Caliper, CBCT, and microCT measurements in the mandibular bone width as indicated by the Tukey's Poc Hoc Test. Pearson correlation showed no significant correlation between CBCT and microCT images for whole bone and implant bone densities. DXA-BMD analysis data showed low correlation compared with the CBCT and moderate correlation compared with the microCT for whole bone density. DXA-BMD analysis data showed moderate correlation compared with CBCT and no significant correlation compared with microCT for implant bone densities. CBCT may be useful for the assessment of bone properties prior to dental implants. |
