Subjective assessment of the acceptability of cone beam computed tomography images for the planning of osseointegrated implants

Introduction: Performing accurate measurements for osseointegrated implant requires that the tomographic images show a minimum quality to allow adequate visualization of anatomical structures.Objective: Therefore, the acceptability of images of different Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) protocols was assessed subjectively for the planning of osseointegrated implantsMaterial and method: CBCT images of ten hemimandibles macerated in K9000 3D system were obtained, and only mA was modified (Group I: 2mA, Group II: 8mA and Group III: 15mA). All acquisitions were made with 80kV, FOV of 5 × 3.7 cm, matrix: 512 × 512 and voxel thickness of 0.076 mm. After the acquisitions, the orthogonal reconstructions were analyzed in three voxel sizes by three evaluators, thus making up nine experimental groups . Following bone height and thickness measurements, the evaluators scored (as yes or no) the acceptability of the images to be measured.Result:The groups presented acceptable image quality for implant planning, with the exception of the images acquired with 2mA and analyzed with voxel of 0.076 mm and 0.535 mm.Conclusion:The 8mA and 2.1 mm voxel protocol should preferably be indicated in the identification of the mandibular canal, as the radiation dose is lower than 15mA protocols and image quality is higher than 2 mA protocols. Additionally, 2.1 mm voxel showed a higher acceptability of images.