Cone beam CT for pre-surgical assessment of implant sites.

The pre-surgical assessment of proposed implant sites requires very specific and accurate data. Imaging has always been used to assist with the implant site assessment but until the recent introduction of cone beam CT scanners, the available imaging had a low value when considering the ratio between diagnostic potential, cost of study, and risk to the patient. CBCT scanners are nearing the end of their first-generation dedicated maxillofacial imaging modalities and have proven to be an extremely useful imaging tool for pre-surgical assessment of implant sites. CBCT scanners are easy to use and produce a 3-D image volume that can be reformatted using software for customized visualization of the anatomy. Protocols have been developed that optimize the visualization of image for implant site assessment.