INTRODUCTION: successful implant treatment depends on efficient planning. This should include information on height, width, morphology and density of the bone, as well as identification and location of anatomical landmarks in imaging exams.
OBJECTIVES: to investigate the impact of cone-beam computed tomography on implant planning and on prediction of final implant size.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: overall, 17 implant were placed in the posterior mandible of ten patients with age ranging between (25-50) years of both sexes. The patients were referred for pre surgical images. Initial planning of implant length and width was assessed based on panoramic radiograph exam, and final planning on cone-beam computed tomography exam to complement diagnosis. The actual dimensions of the implants placed during surgery were compared with those obtained during initial and final planning.
RESULTS: ten patients were selected, 4 males and 6 females and age ranged between (25-50) years. The study included 17 implants. Agreement in implant length was 58.8% between initial and final planning, and correct prediction of the actual implant length was 58.8% and 100%, using panoramic radiograph and cone-beam computed tomography exams, respectively. Agreement in implant width assessment ranged from 64.7% to 100%. A paired comparison of the frequency of changes between initial or final planning and implant placement (paired t-test) showed greater frequency of changes in initial planning for implant length (p < 0.056), but not for implant width (p=0.342).
CONCLUSIONS: it was concluded that cone-beam computed tomography improves the ability of predicting the actual implant length and reduces inaccuracy in surgical dental implant planning.