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. 2018 Oct 3;13(10):e0200596.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200596. eCollection 2018.

Comparison of ultrasound imaging and cone-beam computed tomography for examination of the alveolar bone level: A systematic review

Kim-Cuong T Nguyen  1   2 , Camila Pachêco-Pereira  3   4 , Neelambar R Kaipatur  3 , June Cheung  5 , Paul W Major  3 , Lawrence H Le  1   2
Affiliations

Comparison of ultrasound imaging and cone-beam computed tomography for examination of the alveolar bone level: A systematic review

Kim-Cuong T Nguyen et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background and objective: The current methods to image alveolar bone in humans include intraoral 2D radiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). However, these methods expose the subject to ionizing radiation. Therefore, ultrasound imaging has been investigated as an alternative technique, as it is both non-invasive and free from ionizing radiation. In order to assess the validity and reliability of ultrasonography in visualizing alveolar bone, a systematic review was conducted comparing ultrasound imaging to CBCT for examination of the alveolar bone level.

Study design: Seven databases were searched. Studies addressing examination of alveolar bone level via CBCT and ultrasound were selected. Risk of bias under Cochrane guidelines was used as a methodological quality assessment tool.

Results: All the four included studies were ex vivo studies that used porcine or human cadaver samples. The alveolar bone level was measured by the distance from the alveolar bone crest to certain landmarks such as cemento-enamel junction or gingival margin. The risk of bias was found as low. The mean difference between ultrasound and CBCT measurements ranged from 0.07 mm to 0.68 mm, equivalent to 1.6% - 8.8%.

Conclusions: There is currently preliminary evidence to support the use of ultrasonography as compared to CBCT for the examination of alveolar bone level. Further studies comparing ultrasound to gold standard methods would be necessary to help validate the accuracy of ultrasonography as a diagnostic technique in periodontal imaging.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Modified PRISMA flow chart with the database search and resultant screening process [32].
Fig 2
Fig 2. Risk of bias of the included studies.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Agreement between ultrasound and CBCT in Chifor et al. (2011) and Chan et al. (2017b) using Bland-Altman plotting.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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