Novel ultrasonic device to measure the distance from the bottom of the osteotome to various anatomic landmarks.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to intraoperatively measure the distance from the bottom of the osteotome to the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) and maxillary sinus floor using a novel ultrasonic device and to compare the measurements to those using conventional radiographs.
METHODS: Patients scheduled for dental implant placement in the posterior regions were recruited for this pilot study. Mucoperiosteal flaps were elevated, and a recipient site was initiated using a standardized 2-mm-diameter pilot drill. The distance from the bottom of the osteotome to the IAC and maxillary sinus floor was assessed using a newly developed ultrasonic device and compared to a standard panoramic radiograph that was used to measure the same residual distance from the bottom of the drill.
RESULTS: Fourteen consecutive patients (21 implants) were enrolled. Eleven implants were placed in posterior mandibles, and 10 implants were placed in posterior maxillae. The mean +/- SE radiographic distance from the apex of the pilot drill to the nearest cortical bone was 5.64 +/- 0.51 mm, which was very similar to the distance measured by the ultrasonic device (5.22 +/- 0.37 mm; P = 0.341). In posterior mandibles (n = 11), the distances were 5.18 +/-0.61 mm (radiographic) and 5.26 +/- 0.61 mm (ultrasonic), which were not statistically significant (P = 0.593). A very strong positive correlation was observed between the two measurements in mandibles (r = 0.967; P = 0.0001).
CONCLUSION: The results of this in vivo study support the value of this ultrasonic system in measuring the residual osseous depth from the bottom of the osteotome to the roof of the IAC.