Abstract
Objective: The aim of this was to evaluate the metal artifacts on AZ3000CT images using the titanium cylinders
in relation to different exposure protocols.
Materials and method: The titanium cylinders were fabricated for the evaluation of metal artifacts. The cylinders
heights were 15.07 mm and 15.06 mm, and the diameters were 3.49 mm, and 2.99 mm were installed at the
anterior and posterior side of the plastic model mandible, respectively. The cylinders positions were in two
central incisors for anterior and molar regions for the posterior segment, and the cylinders were placed 10 mm
from each other. CBCT examinations were performed with AZ3000CT, FPD type (Asahi Roentgen ltd, Kyoto,
Japan). The titanium cylinders were imaged at the same position at tube voltages of 60 and 90 kV, 4mA, and 17
seconds. The heights of the cylinders were measured in coronal and sagittal images. Diameter measurement was
performed at the center of the cylinder. The anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) diameters of cylinders
were measured in axial images. All data were evaluated with the Image J and OsiriX image analysis software.
Results: In the measurement of the heights of the titanium cylinders, the mean heights deviated from 102.32% to
102.72%, and 100.53% to 100.86 % for a single cylinder for 60 and 90 kV, respectively. For double cylinders, the
mean heights were from 101.32% to 102.52%, and 100.99% to 102.05% for 60 and 90 kV, respectively. The mean
diameters AP and ML were (104.34% to 104.68%, and 102.29% to 103.34%; and 103.67% to 104.01%, and 101.14%
to 102.67%) for a single cylinder for 60 and 90 kV, respectively. For double cylinders, the mean diameters AP
and ML were (103.82% to 104.29%, and 103.15% to 104.34%; and 103.43% to 104.01%, and 102.00% to 103.34%) for
60 and 90 kV, respectively.
Conclusion: Artifacts can damage the quality of images, sometimes causing unusable in the diagnosis. It originates
from an assortment of some sources, including the presence of metallic materials and patient positioning. However,
it is necessary to evaluate preoperatively metal artifacts for successful Implant installation.
Keywords: cone beam CT, titanium cylinder, artifact.
