Computed tomography in dental implantology: medico-legal implications

Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in both the planning of dental implants and the follow-up evaluation of the procedure. It is widely known that computed tomography (CT) together with Dentascan software is the most accurate imaging technique in the planning of implant treatment. Unlike conventional radiological techniques, CT enables the three-dimensional evaluation of the bone without the overlapping of adjacent structures, as well as a precise measurement of the bone tissue available in the future implant site, contributing in this way to a significant reduction in unsuccessful treatment. CT also enables a qualitative evaluation of the bone structure together with a precise definition of the adjacent anatomical structures and possible associated pathologies. Finally, given the wealth of information provided by CT, it is clear that the technique can also be used for judging in retrospect the correctness of a dental implant procedure. The present paper describes the CT findings that are most relevant to the medicolegal assessment of professional liability in implantology.