Cone-beam computed tomography assessment of bone using grayscale values in patients with diabetes mellitus. A case–control observational study

BACKGROUND: The density of cortical and cancellous bone is a key reason for implant anchorage which might be severely affected during diabetes. AIM: The aim of the study was to establish the role of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) using grayscale values in determining bone density in different jaw sites and in comparing the values in healthy with diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bone densities in 322 possible implant sites in healthy and diabetic patients were evaluated using NewTomGiano CBCT machine. Cross-sections obtained were assessed for bone densities in terms of Hounsfield Unit on different sites using New Net Technologies software version 6.1. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software (version 19.0). CONCLUSION: CBCT unveils a distinct pattern of cortical and cancellous bone density. A high degree of concordance between different regions of the mouth in cortical and cancellous bones was obtained in different study groups. CBCT could be used for bone density analysis.