Quantitative analysis of titanium-induced artifacts and correlated factors during micro-CT scanning

Objectives: To investigate the impact of cover screw, resin embedment, and implant angulation on artifact of microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) scanning for implant.

Materials and methods: A total of twelve implants were randomly divided into 4 groups: (i) implant only; (ii) implant with cover screw; (iii) implant with resin embedment; and (iv) implants with cover screw and resin embedment. Implants angulation at 0°, 45°, and 90° were scanned by micro-CT. Images were assessed, and the ratio of artifact volume to total volume (AV/TV) was calculated. A multiple regression analysis in stepwise model was used to determine the significance of different factors. One-way ANOVA was performed to identify which combination of factors could minimize the artifact.

Results: In the regression analysis, implant angulation was identified as the best predictor for artifact among the factors (P < 0.001). Resin embedment also had significant effect on artifact volume (P = 0.028), while cover screw had not (P > 0.05). Non-embedded implants with the axis parallel to X-ray source of micro-CT produced minimal artifact.

Conclusions: Implant angulation and resin embedment affected the artifact volume of micro-CT scanning for implant, while cover screw did not.