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Aim: To evaluate the performance of low‐dose cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) protocols with regard to linear bone measurements in the posterior mandible for implant planning compared with higher dose protocols. Materials and Methods: Forty‐two edentulous posterior sites in human cadaveric mandibles were imaged in three CBCT scanners using three or four protocols with varying exposure parameters to achieve lower dose. Co‐registration was performed to generate sagittal and cross‐sectional image sections representative of the implant site. Three observers measured bone height, from the alveolar crest to the mandibular canal, and width, three mm from the top of the alveolar crest. Intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility were assessed for the cases rated as nonmeasurable as well as for completed measurements. The measurements were analyzed using paired t‐tests for differences among the CBCT protocols and the frequency distribution of nonmeasurable cases with a Pearson Chi‐square test. Results: Reproducibility for registering nonmeasurable cases varied among observers; however, no consistent significant differences were found in the frequency distribution of these cases among observers, units, and protocols. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were >0.9 for all measurements of bone height and width. Mean differences of <0.5 mm were found regardless of protocol; however, one observer did in some cases produce larger differences. Conclusion: Linear bone measurements did not differ significantly and could be performed with excellent reliability, using low‐dose CBCT protocols compared with standard and high‐resolution ones. Varying approaches for rating nonmeasurable cases were found, indicating differences in diagnostic strategies related to implant planning among observers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This pilot, prospective interventional study aimed to analyze the influence of supracrestal tissue height when using the one abutment-one time concept at the time of implant placement, on peri-implant hard and soft tissue remodeling in esthetic areas. The definitive crown was placed 7 days later. Method and materials: Facial mucosal margin position, mesial and distal papilla levels, and mesial and distal marginal bone loss were assessed after 7 days (placement of the definitive crown), and 1,2,3,6, and 12 months after implant placement. Patients were classified according to the supracrestal tissue height as thin (< 3 mm) and thick (> 3 mm). Results: Fifteen patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the study. Eight presented a thick supracrestal tissue height and seven a thin supracrestal tissue height. After 12 months, the implant success rate was 100%. The mean recession at the facial mucosal margin position was-0.47 ± 0.57 mm and -0.19 ± 0.41 mm in thin and thick groups, respectively (P = .29). The mean mesial papilla level recession was -0.19±0.06mm in the thin group and -0.01± 0.07 mm in the thick group (P< .01), and the mean distal papilla level recession was -0.15±0.09mm in the thin group and 0.00 ± 0.15 mm in the thick group (P<.05). The mean bone loss was-0.21 ± 0.18 mm and -0.04±0.14 mm in the thin and thick groups, respectively (P<.05). Conclusion: Single maxillary anterior implants with thin supracrestal tissue height (<3 mm) at the time of implant placement had greater bone loss and papillary recession than implants with a thick soft tissue height (≥ 3 mm), even when using the one abutment-one time concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Diagnostic imaging is crucial for implant dentistry. This review provides an up‐to‐date perspective on the application of digital diagnostic imaging in implant dentistry. Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed focusing on the question 'when (and why) do we need diagnostic imaging in implant dentistry?' The search results were summarised to identify different applications of digital diagnostic imaging in implant dentistry. Results: The most used imaging modalities in implant dentistry include intraoral periapical radiographs, panoramic views and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). These are dependent on acquisition standardisation to optimise image quality. Particularly for CBCT, other technical parameters (i.e., tube current, tube voltage, field‐of‐view, voxel size) are relevant minimising the occurrence of artefacts. There is a growing interest in digital workflows, integrating diagnostic imaging and automation. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been incorporated into these workflows and is expected to play a significant role in the future of implant dentistry. Preliminary evidence supports the use of ionising‐radiation‐free imaging modalities (e.g., MRI and ultrasound) that can add value in terms of soft tissue visualisation. Conclusions: Digital diagnostic imaging is the sine qua non in implant dentistry. Image acquisition protocols must be tailored to the patient's needs and clinical indication, considering the trade‐off between radiation exposure and needed information. growing evidence supporting the benefits of digital workflows, from planning to execution, and the future of implant dentistry will likely involve a synergy between human expertise and AI‐driven intelligence. Transiting into ionising‐radiation‐free imaging modalities is feasible, but these must be further developed before clinical implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-ionizing imaging technique. Using MRI in dentistry may potentially lower the general radiation dose of the examined population, provided MRI can replace various radiation-based images. Furthermore, novel MRI imaging modalities for three-dimensional and two-dimensional cephalometrics have recently been developed for orthodontic diagnosis. Objectives This systematic review aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of MRI in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Search methods An electronic search was conducted on 20 November 2022 in the following databases: PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane. The search was updated on 30 August 2023. Furthermore, a grey literature search was performed in Google Scholar and Open-Grey. Selection criteria This review included descriptive, observational, cohort studies, cross-sectional, case-control studies, and randomized/non-randomized trials related to the research question. The study excluded studies related to patients with syndromes, chronic diseases, craniofacial anomalies, or bone diseases. Data collection and analysis The included studies were quality assessed using the "Joanna Brigg's Critical Appraisal Tool for diagnostic test accuracy". The GRADE approach for non-randomized studies was used for strength-of-evidence analysis. Results Eight of the 10 included studies compared MRI with either cone beam computed tomography or lateral cephalogram and found a high intra- and inter-rater agreement for landmark identification. The risk of bias was high in four studies, moderate in three, and low in three studies. Homogeneity was lacking among the included studies in terms of MRI imaging parameters and sample characteristics. This should be taken into consideration by future studies where uniformity with respect to these parameters may be considered. Conclusions Despite dissimilarity and heterogeneity in the sample population and other methodological aspects, all the included studies concluded that MRI enjoyed considerable intra- and inter-examiner reliability and was comparable to current diagnostic standards in orthodontics. Furthermore, the studies agreed on the innovative potential of MRI in radiation-free diagnosis and treatment planning in orthodontics in the future. Registration CRD number: CRD420223XXXXX [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective longitudinal study evaluated the peri-implant soft tissue remodeling, marginal bone levels, and implant success rate of immediately placed single implants--which received a definitive zirconia abutment and provisional restoration at implant placement--in the maxillary esthetic zone. The final crown was delivered 7 days later. Patients (n = 26) presenting a single extraction-indicated lateral or central incisor with adequate bone volume were eligible for this study. Mesial and distal papilla levels (MPL and DPL, respectively), facial gingival level (FGL), and mesial and distal marginal bone levels (MMBL and DMBL, respectively) were assessed after 7 days and at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months. Patients were classified according to gingival phenotype: thin (= 2 mm) or thick (> 2 mm). After 1 year, the implant success rate was 100%. Mean soft tissue recession was -0.04 ± 0.15 mm (MPL), -0.09 ± 0.02 mm (DPL), and -0.13 ± 0.18 mm (FGL). Mean bone remodeling at 1 year was 0.12 ± 0.17 mm (MMBL) and 0.13 ± 0.18 mm (DMBL). The marginal interproximal bone was above the implant platform in 100% of sites. Patients with thick phenotype showed significantly less papillary recession than thin-phenotype patients. Minimal periimplant hard and soft tissue changes were observed at the 1-year follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare measurements on images obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cone beam CT (CBCT) for height, width, and area in alveolar bone sites in human jaw specimens. Material and Methods: Forty edentulous alveolar posterior sites in human cadaver specimens were imaged using CBCT scanners, and with zero‐echo‐time MRI (ZTE‐MRI). Semi‐automatic volume registration was performed to generate representative coronal sections of the sites related to implant planning. ZTE‐MRI sections were also presented after grayscale inversion (INV MRI). Three observers measured bone height, bone width 5 mm from the alveolar crest, and bone area stretching from the width measurement to the top of the alveolar crest in the images. Interobserver agreement was assessed by intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICC). The measurements were analyzed using two‐way repeated measures ANOVA factoring observer and image type. Results: ICC was >0.95 for bone height, width, and bone area. No significant differences among observers (p = 0.14) or image type (p = 0.60) were found for bone height. For bone width, observer (p = 0.14) was not a significant factor, while ZTE‐MRI produced width estimates that were significantly different and systematically smaller than CBCT‐based estimates (p ≤ 0.001). Observer (p = 0.06) was not a significant factor regarding the bone area measurements, contrary to the imaging type where ZTE‐MRI led to significantly smaller area estimates than CBCT (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Bone height measurements were essentially equivalent using CBCT and MRI. This was found regardless of grayscale choice for the MRI. However, ZTE‐MRI resulted in smaller estimates of bone width and area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MRI is a noninvasive, ionizing radiation-free imaging modality that has become an indispensable medical diagnostic method. The literature suggests MRI as a potential diagnostic modality in dentomaxillofacial radiology. However, current MRI equipment is designed for medical imaging (eg, brain and body imaging), with general-purpose use in radiology. Hence, it appears expensive for dentists to purchase and maintain, besides being complex to operate. In recent years, MRI has entered some areas of dentistry and has reached a point in which it can be provided following a tailored approach. This technical report introduces a dental-dedicated MRI (ddMRI) system, describing how MRI can be adapted to fit dentomaxillofacial radiology through the appropriate choice of field strength, dental radiofrequency surface coil, and pulse sequences. Also, this technical report illustrates the possible application and feasibility of the suggested ddMRI system in some relevant diagnostic tasks in dentistry. Based on the presented cases, it is fair to consider the suggested ddMRI system as a feasible approach to introducing MRI to dentists and dentomaxillofacial radiology specialists. Further studies are needed to clarify the diagnostic accuracy of ddMRI considering the various diagnostic tasks relevant to the practice of dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]