Accuracy of Oral Mucosal Thickness Measurements Using Spiral Computed Tomography

• Published in: Journal of periodontology (1970) 2011-06, Vol.82 (6), p.829-836
• Main Authors: Ueno, Daisuke, Sato, Junichi, Igarashi, Chinami, Ikeda, Shohei, Morita, Masayuki, Shimoda, Shinji, Udagawa, Takaaki, Shiozaki, Kazunari, Kobayashi, Mariko, Kobayashi, Kaoru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Cadaver; Dental Models; Dentistry; Diagnostic imaging; Female; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods; Linear Models; Male; Medical sciences; mouth mucosa; Mouth Mucosa - anatomy & histology; Mouth Mucosa - diagnostic imaging; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Radiation Dosage; Statistics, Nonparametric; Tomography, Spiral Computed; tomography, x‐ray computed
• ISSN: 0022-3492; 1943-3670
• DOI: 10.1902/jop.2010.100160

Background: Assessment of oral mucosal thickness is important in implant surgery; however, examining the soft tissue three dimensionally is difficult. A reamer method is invasive, and a non‐invasive ultrasonic method produces only low‐resolution images depending on anatomic variations. The emerging technology of spiral computed tomography (CT) is an alternative to the conventional methods. Spiral CT has been a useful diagnostic tool in implant surgery. Although it delivers high radiation doses, spiral CT provides three‐dimensional imaging of low‐contrast structures. The purpose of the present study is to assess the accuracy of oral mucosal measurements using spiral CT. Methods: Thickness of maxillary oral mucosa was measured in five cadavers. The measurement sites were set up in buccal, palatal, and middle of the crest in the missing tooth area in the incisor, canine, premolar, and molar regions. Each cadaver was exposed to spiral CT after installing the measurement guide. After that, each site was physically measured by reamer. Linear regression and correlation analysis were performed to describe the association between radiographic and physical measurements. Results: A total of 114 measurements were performed with statistical analyses. Mean values and standard deviations of physical and radiographic measurements were 3.12 ± 1.43 and 2.83 ± 1.70 mm, respectively. The radiographic and physical measurements demonstrate strong correlation (r = 0.90; P