Background and Aims: Radiographic examination prior to implant placement is often complemented with tomography for location of vital anatomic structures and evaluation of bone volume. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Photostimulable Phosphor Plate system with that of conventional film-screen in mandibular pre-implant linear tomography

Materials and Methods: In this test evaluation study, tomograms of 2 dry human mandibles were taken using the both film-screen and Photostimulable Phosphor Plate. 10 sites were selected in each mandible and marked with gutta-percha. Distance of superior border to the mandibular canal and the total height and width of mandible were measured on the tomograms and also on the mandibles after sectioning. The radiographic values were compared with real ones.

Results: After correction of tomographic values by the magnification factor of the unit, the mean of absolute differences with reality in linear tomography using film-screen and Photostimulable Phosphor Plate for height of mandible were 0.59mm (SD=0.54) and 0.65mm (SD=0.72), respectively. The mean of absolute differences with reality in linear tomography using film-screen and Photostimulable Phosphor Plate for width of mandible were 0.34mm (SD=0.33) and 0.31mm (SD=0.33), respectively. In localization of the mandibular canal, the mean of absolute differences with reality were 0.54mm (SD=0.30 ) and 0.52mm (SD=0.56) for linear tomography using film-screen and Photostimulable Phosphor Plate, respectively. In linear tomography using film-screen, 100% of measurements for localization of the canal, 80% of height and 95% of width were with in ± 1mm error limits. In linear tomography using Photostimulable Phosphor Plate, 75% of measurements for localization of the canal, 75% of height and 95% of width were within ± 1mm error limits. There was no significant difference between linear tomography using film-screen and Photostimulable Phosphor Plate in localizing the mandibular canal and height and width estimation (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The accuracy of linear tomography using film-screen and Photostimulable Phosphor Plate in height and width estimation and localization of the canal is within acceptable limits.