Perioperative validation of localisation of the mental foramen.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the accuracy of panoramic radiography and spiral or computed tomography for the localisation of the mental foramen.


METHODS
The distance from the alveolar crest to the mental foramen was measured from panoramic radiographs, spiral tomograms and CT scans. The same distance was measured during implant surgery using a specially designed caliper.


RESULTS
Panoramic radiography showed more deviation (+0.6 mm) from the perioperative measurements than either spiral or computed tomography (+0.4 and -0.3 mm respectively). The difference was significant (P<0.05). In general, distances were overestimated on the panoramic radiographs.


CONCLUSIONS
Cross-sectional imaging techniques are recommended for the pre-operative planning of implants in the posterior mandible.
Bou Serhal
C
C
Department of Periodontology, Oral Imaging Center, School of Dentistry, Oral Pathology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Catholic University Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer7, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Jacobs
R
R
Flygare
L
L
Quirynen
M
M
van Steenberghe
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D002138:Calibration; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000295:instrumentation; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014056:Tomography, X-Ray / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D015921:Dental Implants