Influence of ultrasound probe type on ultrasonographic morphometry of the mental foramen: Implications for dental implant safety✰
Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, cilt.127, sa.6, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 127 Sayı: 6
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.jormas.2026.102880
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Cone-beam computed tomography, Dental implant planning, Mental foramen, Probe type, Ultrasonography
- Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: To evaluate the influence of ultrasound probe type on ultrasonographic morphometric measurements of the mental foramen (MF) and to assess their agreement with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The findings may have clinical implications for dental implant safety in the mandibular premolar region. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 44 adults with bilaterally visible MF on CBCT. Ultrasonographic measurements of horizontal and vertical MF diameters were obtained bilaterally using linear (3–12 MHz) and hockey-stick (8–18 MHz) probes and compared with CBCT measurements. Two observers performed all measurements independently. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and agreement between modalities was evaluated using paired-samples t-tests and Bland–Altman analysis. Results: Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed no significant within-observer differences among imaging modalities (all p > 0.05). Interobserver agreement was moderate to good across all modalities (ICC: 0.727–0.846; all p < 0.001). Before correction for multiple comparisons, ultrasonography performed with the linear probe showed statistically significant differences from CBCT for the right horizontal (p < 0.001), right vertical (p = 0.015), and left vertical diameters (p = 0.047), whereas no statistically significant differences were observed between hockey-stick probe measurements and CBCT for any side or measurement orientation (all p > 0.05). After Benjamini–Hochberg correction, only the right horizontal linear probe measurement remained statistically significant. Conclusion: Probe type may influence ultrasonographic morphometric measurements of the MF, and high-frequency small-footprint probes demonstrated closer agreement with CBCT measurements. Ultrasonographic assessment of the MF may assist in the preoperative identification of the mental neurovascular bundle and serve as a supportive adjunct during implant planning and related surgical procedures.