Evaluation of Panoramic Radiography Accuracy in Estimating the Crestal Width of Dental Implant in Different Jaw Regions

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of digital panoramic radiography in estimating the crestal width of implant fixtures after surgery. Materials and Methods:We selected 241 digital panoramic images after implant insertion which had documented information of their actual size. The crestal width was measured on radiographs. We compared two measuring methods in different jaw regions (total, maxilla, mandible, whole right, whole left, all sextants) in order to find their accordance. Results: There was a significant difference between the two methods by using inter-observer ecoefficiency (ICC) in all regions (p<0.05). There was also a significant difference between the two by using the bland-altman plot (p<0.05) except in mandibular anterior right and left sextants. Conclusion:Digital panoramic radiography is not accurate enough for exact measurements such as inserted implant dimensions because of image distortion and magnification. It had better use more accurate methods like CBCT in implant treatments.