[(Pain) complaints that are "not understood" after implant surgery. Diagnosis with CT/DentaScan]

Combining clinical examination and panoramic, periapical or lateral cephalometric radiographs is generally sufficient in the pre- and post-operative investigation of most implant patients. Sometimes there is a need for more information needing computer tomography (CT) as an additional diagnostic tool. The obtained CT data can be manipulated and reconstructed with software programs such as DentaScan. The resulting cross sections, that can be given in true proportions, are perpendicular to the course of the jaw. Interpretation of these processed images is much easier but not always more accurate than the original scans. Pre-operatively, CT/DentaScans can be used not only for the determination of bone quantity and quality, but also for the location of relevant anatomical structures. Post-operatively, the scans can be valuable in the diagnosis of unexplained problems that may be related to the placed implants. Three case reports illustrate the use and indication of CT/DentaScans in solving implant related maxillary pathology or neuralgic pain.