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Updated: Mar 8, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing CBCT and Digital Dental Image Integration with AI-Assisted Digitization
Published on: February 23, 2024
Efficacy of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in Evaluating Bone Quality for Optimum Implant Treatment Planning
Jie Liu1, Huan-Yu Chen, Hamza DoDo
1*Private Practice, Former Resident, Division of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. †Undergraduate Student, Division of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. ‡Predoctoral Student, Division of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. §Master Student, Clinical and Translational Science, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. ¶Associate Professor, Division of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. ‖Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Oral Pathology, Medicine and Radiology, School of Dentistry, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN. #Professor Emeritus, Division of General Practice and Materials Science, College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. **Assistant Professor, Division of Restorative Sciences and Prosthodontics, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. ††Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
Purpose:
This study examined (1) if cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) can determine relative differences in bone mineral density distribution using clinical images of patients' mandibular bone and (2) if the relative differences can be used to detect the effects of sex and age on bone mineral density distribution.
Materials And Methods:
Sixty-six clinical CBCT images from patients (36 females and 30 males) of 3 age groups (40, 50, and 60 years) were identified. Alveolar (AB) and basal cortical bone (CB) regions were digitally isolated. A histogram of gray levels, which are proportional to degrees of bone mineralization, was obtained from each region. Mean, variability (SD and coefficient of variation), and percentage differences of gray level parameters between AB and basal CBs were computed.
Results:
Significant sex differences in gray level variability were observed within the postmenopausal age group (P < 0.042).
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that clinical CBCT images can be a valuable tool in providing information on bone quality, which is an important criterion for optimum planning for dental implant placement.
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