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Non‐ionizing real‐time ultrasonography in implant and oral surgery: A feasibility study
Author(s) -
Chan HsunLiang,
Wang HomLay,
Fowlkes Jeffery Brian,
Giannobile William V.,
Kripfgans Oliver D.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
clinical oral implants research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.407
H-Index - 161
eISSN - 1600-0501
pISSN - 0905-7161
DOI - 10.1111/clr.12805
Subject(s) - mental foramen , ultrasound , medicine , soft tissue , cadaver , radiography , cone beam computed tomography , biomedical engineering , radiology , dentistry , anatomy , computed tomography
Purpose Ultrasound imaging has potential to complement radiographic imaging modalities in implant and oral surgery given that it is non‐ionizing and provides instantaneous images of anatomical structures. For application in oral and dental imaging, its qualities are dependent on its ability to accurately capture these complex structures. Therefore, the aim of this feasibility study was to investigate ultrasound to image soft tissue, hard tissue surface topography and specific vital structures. Material and methods A clinical ultrasound scanner, paired with two 14‐ MH z transducers of different sizes (one for extraoral and the other for intraoral scans), was used to scan the following structures on a fresh cadaver: (i) the facial bone surface and soft tissue of maxillary anterior teeth, (ii) the greater palatine foramen; (iii) the mental foramen and (iv) the lingual nerve. Multiple measurements relevant to these structures were made on the ultrasound images and compared to those on cone‐beam computed tomography ( CBCT ) scans and/or direct measurements. Results Ultrasound imaging could delineate hard tissue surfaces, including enamel, root dentin and bone as well as soft tissue with high resolution (110 μm wavelength). The greater palatine foramen, mental foramen and lingual nerve were clearly shown in ultrasound images. Merging ultrasound and CBCT images demonstrated overall spatial accuracy of ultrasound images, which was corroborated by data gathered from direct measurements. Conclusion For the first time, this study provides proof‐of‐concept evidence that ultrasound can be a real‐time and non‐invasive alternative for the evaluation of oral and dental anatomical structures relevant for implant and oral surgery.