Correlation between gray values of cone-beam computed tomograms and Hounsfield units of computed tomograms: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Enhanced alveolar ridge preservation with hyaluronic acid-enriched allografts: a comparative study of granular allografts with and without hyaluronic acid addition

PURPOSE

Ridge preservation is essential to restore alveolar ridge volume and to enhance esthetic and functional outcomes for dental implants. The addition of hyaluronic acid to allogeneic bone substitute materials might enhance these outcomes. This clinical study evaluated the efficacy of ridge preservation after tooth extraction using granular allografts with and without hyaluronic acid addition.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 40 patients with compromised extraction sockets were enrolled. Among them, 19 received particulate allogeneic bone substitutes (Allo), 21 received allogeneic bone substitutes with hyaluronic acid (AlloHya). Vertical and horizontal graft stability, graft shrinkage rate, and bone mineral density were assessed using radiographic measurements on CBCT scans conducted before tooth extraction, directly after ridge preservation and after four months. Patients were followed up 12 months post-implantation.

RESULTS

Vertical height loss after 4 months was significantly greater in the Allo group (-0.82 ± 0.95 mm) compared to the AlloHya group (-0.19 ± 0.51 mm; p = 0.011). Graft shrinkage rate was 16.9 ± 11.5% (Allo) and 10.3 ± 7.7% (AlloHya) (p = 0.038). After four months, average bone density was significantly higher in the AlloHya compared to the Allo group (p = 0.004). Nearly all implants (39 out of 40) were classified as "Success" according to the ICOI scheme, with no differences in implant quality between the two study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Improved graft stability, reduced resorption, and increased bone density were observed in hyaluronic acid-enriched allografts compared to pure allografts. Adding hyaluronic acid to allogeneic bone grafts significantly enhanced outcomes in ridge preservation.

Assessment of bone density in edentulous maxillae using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)

INTRODUCTION

In edentulous maxillae, the anterior maxilla is the region of interest for implant placement due to posterior bone resorption and sinus pneumatization. This study aimed to assess variations in bone density in different regions of the edentulous maxilla according to sex and age, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

69 CBCT from edentulous maxilla were analyzed. Six virtual implants were planned between the maxillary sinuses at incisor, canine, and premolar sites. Bone densities (in Hounsfield units HU) were recorded at six points on the neck, body, and apex of the buccal and lingual areas of each virtual implant. We used the two-sample t-test to compare male and female bone densities, and the Spearman correlation coefficient to analyze the correlation between mean bone density and age. One-way analysis of variance with post hoc pairwise t-tests was used to analyze the differences in density between three sites of the edentulous maxilla and the differences in density between three parts of the implant. The significance level was set at 5%.

RESULTS

Mean bone density in males was significantly higher than in females. There was a significant correlation between mean bone density and age in females. Incisor sites showed the highest mean bone density, followed by canine and premolar sites. There was a significant decline in bone density from the neck to the apex.

CONCLUSIONS

Bone density varied within and among edentulous maxillae. Bone density of the edentulous maxilla seemed to be influenced by age in women and by sex.

Optical coherence tomography and gray scale digital analysis as noninvasive techniques for evaluating molar-incisor hypomineralization severity: A comparative study with microcomputed tomography

Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a qualitative defect of dental enamel characterized by demarcated opacities present in permanent first molars and other teeth. It is considered a major clinical challenge in dentistry because it makes affected teeth more susceptible to fractures and dental caries. Its diagnosis is mainly clinical and there are few technological resources that allow for a more accurate diagnosis, especially with respect to the depth of the defect in the dental enamel. In this context, optical coherence tomography (OCT), which is routinely used in ophthalmology, can produce images of the depth of the dental enamel, making it a promising method. In this study, 33 teeth with different MIH severities were evaluated using OCT and microcomputed tomography (microCT). Semi-quantitative methods of grayscale pattern analysis were used to compare images obtained from different severities of MIH with the mineral density obtained through microCT. MicroCT evaluation revealed that hypomineralized enamel had a significantly lower mineral density than intact enamel. However, this difference was not observed between the mild and severe MIH lesions. In the OCT evaluation, significant differences were observed between the intact and hypomineralized enamel, and the gray value comparison provided a method for quantitative differentiation between the two. This study suggests that OCT could be a useful adjunct to traditional diagnostic methods for MIH, offering a noninvasive approach to evaluate enamel defects. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Combining optical coherence tomography with grayscale digital analysis shows potential as a promising method for diagnosing molar-incisor hypomineralization and assessing its level of severity.

Accuracy of Volumetric Bone Mineral Density Measurement in Weight Bearing, Cone Beam Computed Tomography

BACKGROUND

Weight bearing computed tomography (WBCT) utilizes cone beam CT technology to provide assessments of lower limb joint structures while they are functionally loaded. Grey-scale values indicative of X-ray attenuation that are output from cone beam CT are challenging to calibrate, and their use for bone mineral density (BMD) measurement remains debatable. To determine whether WBCT can be reliably used for cortical and trabecular BMD assessment, we sought to establish the accuracy of BMD measurements at the knee using modern WBCT by comparing them to measurements from conventional CT.

METHODS

A hydroxyapatite phantom with three inserts of varying densities was used to systematically quantify signal uniformity and BMD accuracy across the acquisition volume. We evaluated BMD in vivo (n = 5, female) using synchronous and asynchronous calibration techniques in WBCT and CT. To account for variation in attenuation along the height (z-axis) of acquisition volumes, we tested a height-dependent calibration approach for both WBCT and CT images.

RESULTS

Phantom BMD measurement error in WBCT was as high as 15.3% and consistently larger than CT (up to 5.6%). Phantom BMD measures made under synchronous conditions in WBCT improved measurement accuracy by up to 3% but introduced more variability in measured BMD. We found strong correlations (R = 0.96) as well as wide limits of agreement (-324 mgHA/cm3 to 183 mgHA/cm3) from Bland-Altman analysis between WBCT and CT measures in vivo that were not improved by height-dependent calibration.

CONCLUSION

Whilst BMD accuracy from WBCT was found to be dependent on apparent density, accuracy was independent of the calibration technique (synchronous or asynchronous) and the location of the measurement site within the field of view. Overall, we found strong correlations between BMD measures from WBCT and CT and in vivo measures to be more accurate in trabecular bone regions. Importantly, WBCT can be used to distinguish between anatomically relevant differences in BMD, however future work is necessary to determine the repeatability and sensitivity of BMD measures in WBCT.

Radiographic alveolar bone assessment in correlation with primary implant stability: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The radiographic examination of alveolar bone using 3D radiographic examination is essential in dental implant treatment planning. Our study aimed to systematically review and quantitatively analyze the correlation between alveolar bone parameters, specifically bone density and cortical bone thickness, assessed using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and/or multidetector computed tomography (MDCT); and primary implant stability (PIS) determined using implant stability quotient (ISQ), Periotest® value (PTV), and insertion torque value (ITV).

METHODS

This review was registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number CRD42022307245). An electronic literature search was conducted on the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases for papers published until February 2022. The Quality Assessment in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool was used to assess risk of bias. Meta-analyses were conducted to calculate the estimated average correlation coefficient based on a multilevel random-effects model, followed by subgroup analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies were included in this review, consisting of 17 prospective cohort studies, eight retrospective cohort studies, and one nonrandomized controlled trial. A total of 3109 implants placed in 1171 subjects were analyzed. Twenty-three studies were evaluated using meta-analysis. The alveolar bone condition was significantly correlated with ISQ (r = 0.60; p < .001), IT (r = 0.52; p < .001), and PTV (r = -0.42; p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Alveolar bone condition is significantly associated with PIS. Low bone density and thin cortical bone can lead to low PIS; therefore, modification of treatment planning and surgical procedures might be needed to avoid poor osseointegration.

Assessment of CBCT gray value in different regions-of-interest and fields-of-view compared to Hounsfield unit

OBJECTIVES

Different factors can affect the discrepancy between the gray value (GV) measurements obtained from CBCT and the Hounsfield unit (HU) derived from multidetector CT (MDCT), which is considered the gold-standard density scale. This study aimed to explore the impact of region of interest (ROI) location and field of view (FOV) size on the difference between these two scales as a potential source of error.

METHODS

Three phantoms, each consisting of a water-filled plastic bin containing a dry dentate human skull, were prepared. CBCT scans were conducted using the NewTom VGi evo system, while MDCT scans were performed using Philips system. Three different FOV sizes (8 × 8 cm, 8 × 12 cm, and 12 × 15 cm) were used, and the GVs obtained from eight distinct ROIs were compared with the HUs from the MDCT scans. The ROIs included dental and bony regions within the anterior and posterior areas of both jaws. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v. 26.

RESULTS

The GVs derived from CBCT images were significantly influenced by both ROI location and FOV size (p < 0.05 for both factors). Following the comparison between GVs and HUs, the anterior mandibular bone ROI represented the minimum error, while the posterior mandibular teeth exhibited the maximum error. Moreover, the 8 × 8 cm and 12 × 15 cm FOVs resulted in the lowest and highest degrees of GV error, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The ROI location and the FOV size can significantly affect the GVs obtained from CBCT images. It is not recommended to use the GV scale within the posterior mandibular teeth region due to the potential for error. Additionally, selecting smaller FOV sizes, such as 8 × 8 cm, can provide GVs closer to the gold-standard numbers.

Radiographic and histological evaluation of bone formation induced by rhBMP-2-incorporated biomimetic calcium phosphate material in clinical alveolar sockets preservation

PURPOSE

We assessed the efficiency of low-dose recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) incorporated biomimetic calcium phosphate on β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) (rhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TCP) on bone formation in a model of socket preservation using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning and histological examination.

METHODS

Forty patients undergoing minimally invasive single-root tooth extraction for dental implantation were randomized to three groups according to the material used for socket preservation: filling with rhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TCP, β-TCP, or natural healing (kept unfilled) (controls). The alveolar sockets (including the control group) were covered by two-layer collagen membranes and sutured. Two CBCT scans were taken, one immediately after socket preservation procedure (baseline) and another 6 weeks later. Gray values (GVs) obtained from CBCT were recorded. During insertion of the dental implant, biopsies were taken and analyzed histologically for new bone formation, residual material, and unmineralized bone tissue at the core of the biopsy.

RESULTS

The mean (± standard deviation) changes of GVs of the CBCT scans at the central area of filled materials were as follows: 373.19 ± 157.16 in the rhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TCP group, 112.26 ± 197.25 in the β-TCP group, and -257 ± 273.51 in the control group. The decrease of GVs in the rhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TCP group as compared with the β-TCP group was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Differences in new bone formation (P = 0.006) were also found: 21,18% ± 7.62% in the rhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TCP group, 13.44% ± 6.03% in the β-TCP group, and 9.49% ± 0.08% in controls. The residual material was10.04% ± 4.57% in the rhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TCP group vs. 20.60% ± 9.54%) in the β-TCP group (P < 0.001). Differences in unmineralized bone tissue (P < 0.001) were also found (68.78% ± 7.67%, 65.96% ± 12.64%, and 90.38% ± 7.5% in the rhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TC, β-TCP, and control groups, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that rhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TCP is a promising bone substitute with fast degradation and potent pro-osteogenic capacity that can be useful for socket preservation in implant dentistry.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR, ChiCTR2000035263. Registered 5 August 2020, https://www.chictr.org.cn/ChiCTR2000035263 .

Correlation between gray values in cone-beam computed tomography and histomorphometric analysis

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between bone density measurements obtained using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and morphometric parameters of bone determined by histomorphometric analysis.

Materials and Methods

In this in vivo study, 30 samples from the maxillary bones of 7 sheep were acquired using a trephine. The bone samples were returned to their original sites, and the sheep heads were imaged using CBCT. On the CBCT images, gray values were calculated. In the histomorphometric analysis, the total bone volume, the trabecular bone volume (referred to simply as bone volume), and the trabecular thickness were assessed.

Results

Statistical testing showed significant correlations between CBCT gray values and total bone volume (r=0.537, P=0.002), bone volume (r=0.672, P<0.001), and trabecular thickness (r=0.692, P<0.001), as determined via the histomorphometric analysis.

Conclusion

The results indicate a significant and acceptable association between CBCT gray values and bone volume, suggesting that CBCT may be used in bone densitometry.