Determination of the length of zygomatic implants through computed tomography: establishing a protocol.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to establish and verify an examination protocol using CT to estimate the length of zygomatic implants, thus rendering the surgical process safer and more predictable, and exposing the patient to a minimal level of radiation.


METHODS
Paracoronal CT scan was carried out on ten dry human crania (n = 20) and the zygomatic implant sites were measured (L(CT)) bilaterally. A standard surgical zygomatic implant placement procedure was carried out and the actual lengths (L(Real)) and clinical lengths (L(Clin)) determined.


RESULTS
The averages of the L(CT), L(Clin) and L(Real) were 45.73 +/- 4.82 mm, 42.63 +/- 4.33 mm, and 44.73 +/- 4.53 mm, respectively. Student's t-test revealed no statistically significant differences between the L(Real) and L(CT) averages (P = 0.1532), whereas the L(Real) and L(Clin) averages were statistically different (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The proposed protocol proved to be precise and efficacious in the determination of zygomatic implant length, with the advantage to the patient of a relatively low level of exposure to radiation due to the small quantity of tomographic slices used. Although there were no major repercussions, the clinical probe in the zygomatic implant kit commonly used in this surgical procedure proved to be a rather imprecise tool.
Pena
N
N
FAPESB (Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia, Bahia, Brazil. nilsonpena@radiologia.odo.br
Campos
P S F
PS
de Almeida
S M
SM
Bóscolo
F N
FN
D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002508:Cephalometry; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010159:Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D015050:Zygoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery
D015921:Dental Implants