Journal of implantology and applied sciences ISSN:2765-7833(Print) 2765-7841(Online) 대한구강악안면임플란트학회지

For the clarity of the CT images to provide the surgeon with a knowledge as to the ideal position to place the implants, the radio opaque marker incorporated in the radiographic stent should demonstrate the least amount of scatter and consequently minimal distortion at a scanned site thereby making vital structure more discernable in a computerized topography. This study compared six commonly available radiopaque materials used in computerized topography scan implant templates : gutta purcha, amalgam, barium sulfate, steel ball, steel rod, and lead strips. Each was placed in a respective template which was fabricated with clear acrylic resin. The templates were then scanned on a single CE Hi-speed Helical CT scanner using identical scanning technique(kv 140, mA 140, 15.0cm DFOV, 1mm slice thickness and 1mm spacing). A 1 cm square region of interest was identified for each radio-opaque material on the respective template. Three such regions were assessed on each template and an average of the density in Hounsfield units was taken for each maker and the results were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. It was determined by three different radiologists working independently that gutta purcha was the least dense and demonstrated the least amount of scatter making, it appear to be the most idea radio-opaque material to be used as a marker. The scatter was greatest for the amalgam which resulted in gross distortion in the region of interest and as a marker would be poor.