Multi-detector Computed Tomography versus Digital Panoramic Radiography for Preoperative Evaluation of Jaw Bones before Dental Implantation

Abstract

Background: To evaluate and compare preoperatively multi-detector computed tomography and digital panoramic radiography of jaw bones in patients submitted to dental implant restoration. Patients and methods: We conducted a diagnostic test accuracy study, Al-Azhar University Hospital Assuit. Thirty patients, with partial edentulous areas, were enrolled in the study and they were 11 females and 19 males with mean age of 37 years. Patients were included if they were systemically healthy, at least 18 years old, missing a single or multiple teeth, and their crestal residual ridge width ranging from 3 to 5 mm. Results: A higher Cronbach's alpha for the multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) modality, as well as a lower reliability of error were found. Moreover, unlike digital panorama radiography, MDCT obtained length and width could predict the implant length and diameter. These results highlight the superiority of MDCT to digital panorama radiography in the preoperative assessment before dental implantation. Conclusion: Superiority of MDCT to digital panorama radiography in determining the implant site parameters before dental implantation. Future studies should consider reducing the cost of MDCT and improving its accessibility in low-resource settings.