Imaging strategy in dental implantology

摘要

Dental implants are becoming popular and its prognosis satisfactory. However, patient selection and adequate placement of the implant are important for a successful result. Radiographic examination is required to assess the exact location of the mandibular canal and the mental foramen, and the floors of the nasal cavity and the maxillary sinus, and the buccolingual dimension of the jaw. The information obtained by imaging may help the surgeon to plan the placement of the dental implant, reducing the risk of injury to the nerve, vessels and cavities. The radiographic methods commonly utilized for this purpose are panoramic radiggraphy, conventional tomography and computed tomography. Panoramic radiography may be the first choice to obtain general information, but tomography may compensate for the poor ability of panoramic radiography to visualize the bucco-lingual dimension of the anatomical landmarks. Furthermore, the digital data obtained from computed tomography could be used for the simulation of implant placement. A control study in imaging should be performed to determine the most efficient strategy, considering the availability of facilities, costs, radiation dose to the patient, and technician's skill.