Three dimensional quantification of mandibular bone remodeling using standard tessellation language registration based superimposition.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate a new method to quantify longitudinal mandibular bone remodeling three-dimensionally by superimposition of cone beam computed tomography images. MATERIALS AND METHODS This method is used to quantify the treatment effects of implant-retained overdentures in 20 patients aged 52-79 at recruitment after 1 and 2 years post treatment. Three dimensional models of pre- and post-treatment were reconstructed for each patient and superimposed using Standard Tessellation Language registration method and segmentation. RESULTS Color maps of the differences generated by superimposition allow detailed examination and quantification of the progressive dimensional changes of bone in a three-dimensional manner and enable the visualization of the apical displacement and thinning of the cortical layer of bone underneath the denture base. Most of the remodeling changes took place during the first year with a mean decrease in volume of 3.7% (SD = 4.4%; range = +3.7% to -15.9%, median = -3.7%). This remodeling pattern continued during the second year, but at a reduced rate of 2.5% per year (SD = 4.2%; range = +2.1% to -11.3%, median = -3.9%). CONCLUSION Standard Tessellation Language registration based superimposition of cone beam computed tomography images may be considered an objective and reproducible method to three-dimensionally quantify mandibular bone remodeling.