Relationship Between Cancellous Bone Density and Mandibular Canal Depiction

Abstract

The location and configuration of the mandibular canal are important in imaging diagnosis for mandibular posterior dental implant treatment. The purpose of the present investigation was to clarify the relationship between the depiction of the mandibular canal in digital panoramic images and cancellous bone density assessed using multislice computed tomographic images. Twenty-three patients, all with a designed dental implant in the mandibular molar region, were enrolled in the investigation. Depiction of the mandibular canal was classified into 3 types using digital panoramic images. Rectangular regions of interest were set in cancellous bone of designed implant sites and averaged pixel values of regions of interest were calculated. The mean pixel value in the site of the mandibular canal visible in the superior and inferior walls was significantly larger in comparison with that invisible in the superior and inferior walls. The depiction of the mandibular canal in digital panoramic images was related to bone density in the alveolar region.