title: Intraoperative Measurement of the Distance from the Bottom of Osteotomy to the Mandibular Canal Using a Novel Ultrasonic Device.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In our previous study, we found that a novel ultrasound (US) device may serve as a useful intraoperative tool to measure the distance from osteotomy to the inferior alveolar canal (IAC).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To validate our previous results in a larger group of osteotomies in the posterior mandible.
  
  
  METHODS
  During dental implant placement surgery, osteotomies were created using a standardized 2-mm-diameter pilot drill. The distance from the bottom of the osteotome to the IAC was assessed using an ultrasonic device and compared with a standard panoramic radiograph used to measure the same residual distance. The total distance from the crestal bone to the IAC was measured on a preoperative computed tomography (CT) and compared with total US measurements by summing the drill depth with residual depth measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean radiographic and US residual distances were 5.19 ± 1.95 mm, 5.01 ± 1.82 mm, p = 0.79 respectively. These measurements presented strong positive correlations (r = 0.61, p = .01). Mean total CT distance was 13.48 ± 2.66 mm; mean total US calculation was 13.69 ± 2.51 mm. No significant difference was found (p > .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results support our previous pilot study and confirm that the tested US device identifies the IAC and measures the distance from the osteotomy to the roof of the mandibular canal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Graduate Dentistry, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel. h_zigdon@rambam.health.gov.il.|Faculty of Medicine, Technion IIT, Haifa, Israel. h_zigdon@rambam.health.gov.il.
authors.forename: Hadar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zigdon-Giladi
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Graduate Dentistry, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saminsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Graduate Dentistry, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Rina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elimelech
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Graduate Dentistry, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.|Faculty of Medicine, Technion IIT, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Eli E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Machtei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: cone-beam computed tomography; implant; mandibular nerve; mandibular osteotomy