Tomography of the alveolar process

This radiologic study using hemisected dog jaws was undertaken to determine whether or not tomographic techniques would be superior to standard dental x-ray techniques in detecting prepared periodontal defects within the cancellous bone of dog jaws. Specifically, it was done to determine whether or not tomography might be a reliable method of checking for bone fill in periodontal bone-grafting therapy. As an additional measure, a radiographic study, using a hemisected dog mandible and standard dental x-ray techniques, was undertaken to determine whether lesion size or cortical plate involvement was the determining factor in radiographic visibility. When tomographic techniques were used 55% of thirty-one prepared defects were visible, while standard dental x-ray techniques detected 29% of the same defects radiographically. The differences in detection rate were not statistically significant when analyzed by chi square. Although tomography resulted in radiographic visibility of a greater number of prepared defects, it is not reliable enough to replace re-entry procedures for documentation of bone fill in clinical studies of periodontal bone-grafting procedures. In the additional study it was determined that cortical plate involvement was the determining factor in radiographic visibility of bony defects.