The diagnostic accuracy of the digital panoramic imaging system in pre and post surgical dental implant Insertion

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: The success of dental implant treatment depends on careful preoperative planning .The aim of this
study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of digital panoramic image in determination of bone height available
in maxilla and mandible prior to implant treatment and to find the effect of possible multivariate factors (age,
gender, type of jaw, jaw sectors and dental presence) on the precision of panoramic image as a radiographic tool
used in pre- implant treatment planning.
Subjects, materials and method: Sixty fixtures were inserted surgically in thirty patients in different areas in maxilla and
mandible and they were examined radiographically pre and post implant surgery by digital panoramic imaging (OPG)
for the measurements of vertical bone height in five areas in each jaw and for the evaluation of bone height available
at the implant site pre and post implant treatment. The areas of measurements are upper and lower anterior, premolar,
and molar, missing and non missing areas.
Results: The bone height increased in mandible than maxilla in all jaw sectors of missing and non missing teeth areas
except in premolar sector of missing teeth areas. Age had significant effect on bone height in missing teeth areas
while no significantly affect the bone height in non missing areas, where as gender significantly affect bone height in
non missing areas. All the multivariate included had no significant effect on panoramic precision and the panoramic
image was underestimated in predicting the safety margin above the anatomical landmarks.
Conclusions: Digital Panoramic image provide a great understanding about bone height in different sites of Maxilla
and Mandible giving an idea about the most important information related to implant site pre and post dental
implant insertion.
Key words: vertical alveolar bone height, OPG, dental implant. (J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2011;23(70-73).