Diagnostic accuracy of cone‑beam computed tomography with modified grayscale range for detection of buccal cortical plate defects adjacent to dental implants

Abstract

Background: This study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of cone‑beam computed
tomography (CBCT) with a modified grayscale range for the detection of buccal cortical plate
defects adjacent to dental implants.
Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, titanium implants were inserted in
168 fresh bovine bone blocks with 1–1.5 mm of buccal cortical plate thickness. The blocks were
randomly divided into four groups (n = 42). No defect was created in the control blocks. In the three
experimental groups, cortical plate defects were randomly created in the cervical, middle, or apical
third by a round bur with a 2‑mm diameter (n = 42). All blocks underwent CBCT with and without
change in the grayscale range. Two observers evaluated all images regarding the presence/absence
of defects. Kappa test is used for the agreement of the observers. The diagnostic accuracy of the
two modalities was compared by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic
curve (AUC) (P ≤ 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity values were also compared.
Results: The AUC was not significantly different between the two modalities with and without
altered grayscale range (0.754 vs. 0.762, respectively, P = 0.716). The diagnostic sensitivity of CBCT
with and without change in the grayscale range was 51% and 52%, respectively, with a specificity
of 100% for both. The diagnostic accuracy of CBCT with and without altered grayscale range had
no significant difference for apical and middle third defects (P > 0.05) and was significantly higher
than that for the cervical third defects (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Changing the grayscale range does not improve the diagnostic accuracy of CBCT
for the detection of buccal cortical plate defects adjacent to dental implants.
Key Words: Computer‑assisted, cone‑beam computed tomography, dental implants, diagnosis,
radiographic image interpretation

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Zahra Dalili Kajan: Pubmed,Google Scholar