Diagnostic imaging in implantology: From conventional tonewer paradigms

Imaging is an useful adjunct for many dental procedures in general but is essential in the clinical practice of implantology. Apart from ruling out local bone and tooth pathology, imaging helps clinicians to determine bone quality and quantity and give a fair idea of implant orientation. Unlike endodontics, which can rely on conventional intra oral periapical assays (IOPA), imaging in implantology require definite cross sectional views to appreciate buccal and lingual bone plates and overall bone quality and quantity bucco-lingually. From conventional IOPAs and orthopantomograms (OPG) to cone beamcomputed tomography (CBCT) and three dimensional implant planning software with computer aided designined and machinined surgical guide templates, the diagnostics in implantology has gone through a sea change. With prosthetically guided implant placement becoming a standard protocol today, the need for computed tomography has also increased. This article reviews various diagnostic imaging modalities used in implantology today with clinical guidelines to adhere in the end.