IMPLANT SITE ASSESSMENT USING PANORAMIC CROSS-SECTIONAL TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGING

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of t wo different panoramic imaging systems to produce cross-sectional imag es with accurate vertical dimensions of the posterior mandible. Study design. Three partially edentulous human cadaver mandibles were used f or this study. On each mandible, three potential implant sites were ar bitrarily identified in an area between the mental foramen and the asc ending ramus. Each site was imaged using two different panoramic machi nes. Using each image, the mandible's outline, cortical thickness, and position of the mandibular canal were traced on clear acetate film. T he mandibles were then sectioned at each site to serve as a gold stand ard. The cadaver sections and tracings (corrected for magnification) w ere measured, recording the overall mandibular height, distance from t he crest of the ridge to the superior aspect of the mandibular canal, and the thickness of the cortical bone at the most inferior aspect of the mandible. Results. There were no significant differences between e ither of the system's image measures and the gold standard when consid ering the distance between the crest and the mandibular canal. Differe nces were noted between the systems measures and the gold standard in the assessment of the cortical bone thickness and the overall mandibul ar height. Conclusions. Both imaging systems can be useful for vertica l measurements of a potential implant site in the posterior mandible.