Efficacy of low dose and ultra-low dose on the visibility of peri-implant fenestration and dehiscences: a computed tomography study

Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the visibility of peri-implant fenestration and dehiscences on computed tomo­graphy (CT) images taken with 2 different doses.

Material and methods
The defects were created on the apical of 6 implants randomly selected from 20 titanium implants placed in the ribs, and dehiscences were created on the cervical of 8 implants. No defects were created around 6 implants. Macroscopic analysis of the implanted ribs was accepted as the gold standard. From the samples, images were taken by using both ultra-low dose (80 kVp, 50 mA, 1.25 mm slice thickness) and low dose (100 kVp, 50 mA, 1.25 mm slice thickness) protocols in CT. The images obtained were evaluated using a 5-point scale.

Results
No significant difference was found between the area under the receiver operating characteristic of ultra-low dose protocol and low dose protocol in both defects based on the Wilcoxon test (p > 0.05).

Conclusions
The ultra-low dose protocol could be applied by adhering to the “as low as reasonably achievable” principle in the diagnosis of peri-implant defects.