Asmaa R. Latif, Dina F. Ahmed And Mohamed K. Zayet,

ABSTRACT
Objective: The Aim Of This Study Was To Reveal The Effect Of Using Ultra-low Dose Protocol Of Planmeca ProMax 3D Mid Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Scanner On The Identification Of Anatomical Landmarks For Pre-operative Implant Planning. Subjects And Methods: Thirty Two CBCT Scans For 27 Patients Were Taken Using Planmeca ProMax 3D Mid Scanner. Half Of The Scans Were Taken With The Manufacturer?s Recommended Exposure Parameters (standard Protocol) And The Other Half Were Taken With The Ultra-low Dose Protocol. Identification Of Nine Maxillary And Mandibular Anatomical Landmarks By Three Observers Was Performed According To Four-point Scale. Additionally, Intra-observer And Inter-observer Agreement Were Performed.

Results: Statistical Analysis Revealed That The Results Of The Ultra-low Dose Protocol Were Comparable To That Of The Manufacturer?s Recommended Exposure Parameters. The Average Mean Value Of The Total Identified Anatomical Landmarks Using Ultra-low Dose Protocol Was Almost The Same As That Of The Manufacturer?s Recommended Exposure Parameters. The Approximated Average Mean Value Was 3.55 In Both Protocols. The Intra-observer And Inter-observer Agreement Ranged From Substantial To Excellent.

Conclusions: Images Taken By Ultra-low Dose Protocol Of Planmeca Promax 3D Mid CBCT Scanner Have The Same Degree Of Appropriateness In Identification Of Implant-related Anatomical Landmarks When Compared With Those Taken With Manufacturer?s Recommended Dose.