Panoramic prediction equations to estimate implant- to-mandibular canal dimensions in the mandibular posterior region: implications for dental implant treatment

Background: To develop and cross-validate site-specific panoramic radiography (PAN) analysis prediction equations of implant-to-mandibular canal dimensions (IMCD) in mandibular regions posterior to the mental foramen, and to help determine in which instances CBCT technology will be a justified adjunct in clinical practice. Methods: IMCD by PAN (Pan-D) from implant site-specific regions (first premolar, second premolar, first molar, and second molar sites) were collected from 40- to 70-year-old adolescents. They were randomly assigned to validation (n = 144) and cross-validation (n = 148) groups. The cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) technique was used as the criterion method for the estimation of IMCD (CBCT-D). The PAN analysis equations were developed using stepwise multiple regression analysis and cross-validated using the Bland–Altman approach. Results: There was a significant relationship between PAN-D and CBCT-D for both validation (R² = 57.8 %; p <.001) and cross-validation groups (R² = 52.5 %; p <.001). Root means-squared error (RMSE) and pure error (PE) were highest for the first molar (RMSE = 1.116 mm, PE = 1.01 mm) and the second molar region (RMSE = 1.162 mm, PE = 1.11 mm). Conclusions: PAN-D has the potential to be developed as an indirect measure of IMCD. However, the findings suggest to exclude scoring of the first and second molars when assessing IMCD via PAN. Use of CBCT may be justified for all IMCD estimations in the first and second molars regions. Trial registration: This study has been registered and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Martin-Luther University, Halle, Germany (2020-034).