Craniofacial Diagnostic Imaging

Implant Tomography

Dental implants is the fastest growing segment in dentistry today. It is creating an increased need for accurate imaging for enhanced diagnosis, predictability and medical and/or legal protection. Cross sectional tomography is essential for accurate measurements, treatment-planning for implant trajectory and/or bone augmentation, subsequently ensuring better function and aesthetic results.

Why? Panographic surveys alone can be deceiving! Cross sectional images of the maxillary and mandibular arches are very useful in implant case planning. These sections can be as thin as 2 mm. The magnification of the structures is a constant 10% as compared to a panoramic x-ray in which the magnification varies throughout the image.

Cross sectional images give a true buccal/lingual shape and size in addition to bone height and the shape and location of the maxillary sinus and the mandibular canal respectively. Maintaining comprehensive patient records is important to care providers.

Localized cross sectional tomography is the least invasive and most affordable method for imaging dental implants and offering high diagnostic accuracy. CDI’s tomography unit's are of a unique design that consistently provides high quality films while reducing exposure time. The radiation exposure for each image is approximately 50 mr. As a result; the average single quadrant for up to four sites can be imaged for as little as 200 mr, compared to about 4000 mr when taken with a CT scan. While the CT scan can do the whole arch, it cannot do single or quadrant sites. "One should expect a substantial increase in the benefit of information provided by CT scanning to justify the risk associated with the radiation required" (Clark et al., 1990).

The following images demonstrate the amount of information cross sectional tomograms provide, as well as their ease of use. The tomograms have a fixed magnification rate so the precise height, width, and trajectory of bone in each site can be measured.

Please contact CDI at (585)-427-2510 to visit our facility and schedule a personal training session on interpretation of implant tomography, including site evaluation, trajectory assessment, and surgical guide planning.

CDI questions? Call (585) 427-2510 .