The role of quantitative single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) in the osseous integration process of dental implants

Role of single photon emission computerised tomography in evaluating osseointegration of indigenous DRDO implants: An in vivo study

“…Number of factors/variables influences the initial successful osseointegration of dental implants. 1 These includes biologic bone type, type of metal used and extent of injury caused during surgical placement of these implants; though it is understood that it is difficult to quantify relative contributions of each component towards healing and osseointegration. In our series as the pre-implant SPECT values of osteoblastic activity involving the area of interest for each individual subject showed normal and consistent reading, we can assume that the healing/osseointegration/metabolic activity would not have varied in the selected patients during the study, thus justifying achieving the aim and the results of the study.…”

“…The activity (pixel count) in the area of interest was compared with the activity in the skull (control). The Osteoblastic Activity Index (OAI) 1 was calculated by dividing average pixel count in the area of interest by average pixel count in the skull (control). The values of OAI were calculated for each SPECT study, consolidated mean values are as shown in Table 2 and graphic plotted data of OAI vs. time was prepared ( Fig.…”

Bone Substitutes and Validation

“…Additionally, SPECT permits accurate volumetric measurement and it is thus possible, for quantitation of the distribution of radioactivity in terms of Mc i per unit volume of tissue (Khan et al 2000). This unique ability to quantitate physiologic events, by using a bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical sets SPECT apart from other tomographic techniques such as computerized tomography (Khan et al 2000). CT Scans (computerized tomography) is able to provide excellent morphological details but unlike SPECT, it is unable to provide functional data.…”

“…It is the ability for multiplane image reconstruction with SPECT which confers greater diagnostic accuracy to SPECT. Additionally, SPECT permits accurate volumetric measurement and it is thus possible, for quantitation of the distribution of radioactivity in terms of Mc i per unit volume of tissue (Khan et al 2000). This unique ability to quantitate physiologic events, by using a bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical sets SPECT apart from other tomographic techniques such as computerized tomography (Khan et al 2000).…”

Biomechanical dental implants comparison by means of numerical models and nuclear medicine

“…The technique consists in imaging the uptake of bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals, in the mineral component of bone as well as in the organic matrix; in particular, technetium-99m labelled diphosphonates are used [9]. Several recent medical reports have focused their attention on the possible application of skeletal scintigraphy imaging to odontostomatology [10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”