An evaluation of a noninvasive method of assessing alveolar bone levels in an experimental model of cleft lip and palate.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate an ultrasound mucous-membrane-thickness-measuring device as a noninvasive, nonionizing alternative to radiography in the assessment of alveolar bone grafting.


METHODS
This was a prospective experimental study on porcine cadaver models.


METHODS
An ultrasound technique (Krupp SDM) was assessed ex vivo on three specially developed porcine cadaver models in comparison to radiography and ridge-mapping. Direct measurement of the mucosal thickness provided a standard for comparison. In each model, 30 measurement sites were identified for comparison of the techniques.


RESULTS
All measurement techniques demonstrated clinically acceptable reproducibility. Of the clinical measurement techniques, radiography proved to be the most reliable, showing a small, nonsignificant statistical difference from direct measurement. Both the ultrasound technique and ridge-mapping showed significant tendencies to underestimate mucosal thickness that became greater with increasing mucosal thickness. At sites where mucosal thickness was less than 6 mm, the ultrasound technique underestimated mucosal thickness by 0.6 mm on average. At sites where mucosal thickness exceeded 6 mm, ultrasonic artifacts rendered the ultrasound technique unreliable.


CONCLUSIONS
The ultrasound technique could prove to be a useful clinical adjunct to radiography in the assessment of alveolar bone grafts, but in this particular application, care should be taken when using it to assess deeper alveolar defects.
Lawson
R B
RB
Division of Dental Health and Development, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK.
Jones
M L
ML
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D000543:Alveoloplasty; D000818:Animals; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002417:Cattle; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013552:Swine; D014463:Ultrasonography