The radiographic assessment of implant patients: Decision-making criteria

Indications for the most frequently used imaging modalities in implant dent istry are proposed based on clinical need and biologic risk for the patient . To calculate the biologic risk, the authors carried out dose measurements . They demonstrated that the risk from a periapical radiograph is 20% of th at from a panoramic radiograph. A panoramic radiograph and a series of 4 co nventional tomographs of a single-tooth gap in the molar region carry 5% an d 13% of the risk from computed tomography of the maxilla, respectively, Pa noramic radiography is considered the standard radiographic examination for treatment planning of implant patients, because it imparts a low dose whil e giving the best radiographic survey. Periapical radiographs are used to e lucidate details or to complete the findings obtained from the panoramic ra diograph. Other radiographic methods, such as conventional film tomography or computed tomography, are applied only in special circumstances, film tom ography being preferred for smaller regions of interest and computed tomogr aphy being justified for the complete maxilla or mandible when methods for dose reduction are followed. During follow-up, intraoral radiography is con sidered the standard radiographic examination, particularly for implants in the anterior region of the maxilla or for scientific studies. In patients requiring more than 5 periapical images, panoramic radiography is preferred .