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Perioperative validation of localisation of the mental foramen
C Bou Serhal1, R Jacobs, L Flygare
1Department of Periodontology, Oral Imaging Center, School of Dentistry, Oral Pathology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Catholic University Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer7, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Aim:
To assess the accuracy of panoramic radiography and spiral or computed tomography for the localisation of the mental foramen.
Materials And Methods:
The distance from the alveolar crest to the mental foramen was measured from panoramic radiographs, spiral tomograms and CT scans. The same distance was measured during implant surgery using a specially designed caliper.
Results:
Panoramic radiography showed more deviation (+0.6 mm) from the perioperative measurements than either spiral or computed tomography (+0.4 and -0.3 mm respectively). The difference was significant (P<0.05). In general, distances were overestimated on the panoramic radiographs.
Conclusions:
Cross-sectional imaging techniques are recommended for the pre-operative planning of implants in the posterior mandible.