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Analyzing Dental Implant Sites From Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scans on a Tablet Computer: A Comparative Study
Alejandro Carrasco1, Elnaz Jalali, Ajay Dhingra
1*Graduate Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, University of Connecticut, School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, CT. †Assistant Professor, Department of Reconstructive Sciences, University of Connecticut, School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, CT. ‡Professor and Chair, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, University of Connecticut Health Center, School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, CT. §Assistant Professor, Division of Orthodontics, University of Connecticut Health Center, School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, CT. ¶Program Director, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, University of Connecticut Health Center, School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, CT.
An iPad with a retina display offers comparable measurements and visualization to medical-grade monitors for analyzing cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, providing a portable and cost-effective solution for dental implant surgery.
Area of Science:
- Medical imaging analysis
- Dental implantology
Background:
- Accurate assessment of implant sites using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is crucial for successful dental implant surgery.
- Evaluating different display technologies for CBCT image analysis is essential for optimizing clinical workflows and patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the accuracy of linear measurements and anatomical structure visualization of CBCT images across a medical-grade PACS monitor, a consumer-grade monitor, a laptop, and a tablet.
- To assess the user experience and portability of different display devices for CBCT analysis.
Main Methods:
- CBCT scans were reviewed on four different display devices: a medical-grade PACS monitor, a consumer-grade LCD monitor, a MacBook Pro laptop, and an iPad 4 tablet.
- Operators assessed anatomical structures using a 2-point scale, and measurements of implant sites were compared.
- User experience and portability were evaluated via questionnaire, focusing on PACS and iPad comparison.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in linear measurements between the evaluated devices.
- High intraoperator reliability was observed for all measurements.
- The iPad demonstrated superior portability, while user experience was comparable across devices.
Conclusions:
- An iPad with a retina display is a reliable and comparable alternative to medical-grade monitors for analyzing CBCT images.
- This offers an inexpensive and portable solution for intraoperative analysis of CBCT data during implant surgery.
- The findings support the use of consumer-grade tablets for enhanced accessibility in dental imaging.
