An in-office, cost effective technique for measuring width of bone using intra-oral periapical radiographs in occlusal projection

BACKGROUND: The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the dimensions of ridge/width of bone and deviation of center of ridge using Intra Oral Periapical Radiographs (IOPA) in occlusal projection as a preprosthetic diagnostic method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mandibles with edentulous space were procured and cold cure acrylic stents were fabricated. Three holes were drilled occlusally, buccally, lingually and filled with gutta percha. Then mandibles were tied to menaquine model which was fitted to a dental chair. IOPA radiographs in occlusal projection were taken. Radiographs were scanned to obtain a digital image which was analyzed using computerized software. Direct measurements were taken and compared. The position of center of ridge was compared in vitro and radiographically using student unpaired t test and width of bone was compared using Karl Pearson's coefficient test. RESULTS: Comparisons of bucco-lingual ridge width using radiographical measurement versus in vitro method showed a mean value of 4.1930 with deviation of 0.5934 and the proposed position of center of ridge for both the methods gave a mean value of 0.2738 with deviation of 0.1164. CONCLUSION: The findings in this study suggested that IOPA radiographs in occlusal projection can be used as a preprosthetic diagnostic method to assess the width of the alveolar bone for future flapless implant placement.