Comparison of C.T. and M.R.I. for Dental Implant Placement

Computed Tomography constitutes today the Gold standard for the preoperative examination for dental implant placement. However, the relatively high regards dose of radiation and some limited disadvantages of C.T. led to the need for additional imaging techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Intensity. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare these two imaging techniques with to precision in the measurement of the available height of the alveolar ridge at potential dental implant placement sites. Methods: A sample of 10 patients with 40 potential implant sites was used. For the acquisition of primary slices the same radiographic template was used for both techniques with respective markers. Evaluation of the acquired slices was through appropriate software (CoDiagnostiX) for 3D reconstruction and formulation of the treatment plan. Measurements were taken by four separate dental practitioners using the same software. Results: Variable analysis of dependent measurements with regards to two factors of which one is repeated was performed as well as paired sample T test of two variables. Statistical significant effect of the factor imaging technique (MRI or CT) was found (F (1,24)=20,941 ;p=0,001<0,05) and the mean of discrepancy of the two techniques was 0,58mm. Conclusions: MRI constitutes a reliable imaging technique for the preoperative examination for potential dental implant placement compared to CT. However, the simultaneous display of soft tissues and the lack of experience of dental practitioners with MRI technique leads to difference of bone volume measurements This difference although statistically significant is difficult to assess with regards to surgical technique.