Factors affecting the possibility to detect buccal bone condition around dental implants using cone beam computed tomography

Abstract Objectives To evaluate factors with impact on the conspicuity (possibility to detect) of the buccal bone condition around dental implants in cone beam computed tomography ( CBCT ) imaging. Material and Methods Titanium (Ti) or zirconia (Zr) implants and abutments were inserted into 40 bone blocks in a way to obtain variable buccal bone thicknesses. Three combinations regarding the implant–abutment metal (TiTi, TiZr, or ZrZr) and the number of implants (one, two, or three) were assessed. Two CBCT units (Scanora 3D – Sc and Cranex 3D – Cr) and two voxel resolutions (0.2 and 0.13 mm) were used. Reconstructed sagittal images (2.0 and 5.0 mm thickness) were evaluated by three examiners, using a dichotomous scale when assessing the condition of the buccal bone around the implants. A multivariate logistic regression was performed using examiners’ detection of the buccal bone condition as the dependent variable. Odds ratio ( OR ) were calculated separately for each CBCT unit. Results Implant–abutment combination (ZrZr) ( OR Sc = 19.18, OR Cr = 11.89) and number of implants (3) ( OR Sc = 12.10, OR Cr = 4.25) had major impact on buccal bone conspicuity. The thinner the buccal bone, the higher the risk that the condition of the buccal bone could not be detected. The use of lower resolution protocols increased the risk that buccal bone was not properly detected ( OR Sc = 1.46, OR Cr = 2.00). For both CBCT units, increasing the image reconstruction thickness increased the conspicuity of buccal bone ( OR Sc = 0.33, OR Cr = 0.31). Conclusions Buccal bone conspicuity was impaired by a number of factors, the implant–abutment material being the most relevant. Acquisition and reconstruction factors had minor impact on the detection of the buccal bone condition.