Bone Quality Assessment for Dental Implants

Dental implants have become a predictable treatment option for restoring missing teeth. The purpose of tooth replacement with implants is to restore adequate function and esthetics without affecting adjacent hard and/or soft tissue structures. The use of dental implants in oral rehabilitation has currently been increasing since clinical studies with dental implant treatment have revealed successful outcomes (Turkyilmaz et al., 2008a). The successful outcome of any implant procedure depends on a series of patient-related and proceduredependent parameters, including general health conditions, biocompatability of the implant material, the feature of the implant surface, the surgical procedure, and the quality and quantity of the local bone. (Turkyilmaz et al., 2007) Successfully providing dental implants to patients who have lost teeth and frequently the surrounding bone relies on the careful gathering of clinical and radiological information, on interdisciplinary communication and on detailed planning. One of the most important factors in determining implant success is proper treatment planning. In the past, periapical radiographs along with panoramic images were used as the sole determinants of implant diagnosis and treatment planning. With the advancement of radiographic technology, Computed tomography (CT), as well as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is increasingly considered essential for optimal implant placement, especially in the case of complex reconstructions (Benson & Shetty, 2009; Chan et al., 2010; Resnik et al., 2008).