Implant imaging for the dentist

Dental implants have become part of routine treatment plans in many dental offices because of their increasing popularity and acceptance by patients. Appropriate preplacement planning, in which imaging plays a pivotal role, helps to ensure a satisfactory outcome. The development of precise presurgical imaging techniques and surgical templates allows the dentist to place these implants with relative ease and predictability. This article gives an overview of current practices in implant imaging for the practising dentist, with emphasis on selection criteria. Imaging protocols for site assessment and restorative evaluation are discussed. This information will enable the dentist to select and use appropriate radiographic images (digital or film) for implant treatment planning, restoration and postoperative follow-up. Modalities presented include intraoral and panoramic projections, linear and complex motion tomography and computed tomography (CT). The use of CT image reformatting software such as Dentascan and SimPlant with 3-dimensional reconstructions is discussed.