RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of measuring bone thickness surrounding dental implants and the reliability of assessing existence and completion of osseous integration of augmentation material using a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In jaws of foxhounds, artificial defects were regenerated by guided bone regeneration and then dental implants were placed. After putting down the dogs, the jaws were separated from the bodies and exposed in a CBCT system. The bone thickness was measured on both buccal and oral sides of the implants at different levels. Every examiner evaluated existence and integration of bone augmentation materials (BAM) and the completeness of marginal implant covering. The same measurements and evaluations were performed at digital images of the corresponding histological sections. RESULTS: The mean and the standard deviation of the differences between radiological and histological measurements of peri-implant bone thickness were -0.22 mm and 0.77 mm, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 0.77 and 0.60 for existence of BAM, 0.59 and 0.74 for completed integration, and 0.39 and 0.71 for full covering of the implant surface. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that the PaX Duo3D(®) CBCT system allows measurements of peri-implant bone thickness at an accuracy of half a millimeter, and--within limits--assessing the existence and integration of BAM. It is not possible to evaluate whether the implant is covered completely by hard tissue. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Peri-implant bone thickness is a key factor for obtaining initial implant stability. The accuracy of its measurement has clinical impact. Radiological assessment of existence and integration of BAM would be of great benefit to the evaluation of augmentation procedures.