The Role of Radiographic Imaging in the Diagnosis and Management of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases.

This article highlights the role of dental imaging techniques, including periapical, bitewing, panoramic, and cone-beam computed tomography images, in the diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making process for patients with periodontal and peri-implant disease. A brief overview of common radiographic findings of periodontal disease, including periodontitis, and peri-implantitis is also provided.

Should Cone Beam Computed Tomography Be Routinely Obtained in Implant Planning?

Clinical assessment and conventional 2-D radiographs often provide inadequate diagnostic data for proper implant placement. Cone beam CT (CBCT) enables 3-D visualization of the alveolar ridge, aiding clinicians with identification of anatomic structures and pathologies. CBCT provides accurate linear measurements at low radiation dose compared with conventional CT scan, which helps in diagnosis and treatment planning, particularly in complex implant cases. Even though straightforward implant surgery can be performed with careful clinical and 2-D radiographic assessment, CBCT should be considered. It provides the unparalleled benefit of computer-aided implant planning, leading to improved clinical outcomes and reduced complications.

What is the Optimum for Alveolar Ridge Preservation?

In the dental implant era, there has been growing interest in exploring the most effective methods to minimize morphologic alteration in the postextraction site. Despite modern methods of ridge preservation, resorption of the ridge is inevitable. The optimal approach to minimizing the rate and amount of these changes is still a subject of controversy. This article provides a contemporary review of the different approaches to preserve alveolar ridge dimensions. A suggested classification for single extraction sockets is presented along with multiple treatment options for each class.

Is Digital Guided Implant Surgery Accurate and Reliable?

The digital workflow for computer-aided implant surgery includes a range of steps leading to generation of a prosthetically driven, 3-dimensional virtual plan, which is transitioned into the patient's mouth by the surgical guide and protocol. Guided implant surgery is believed to be accurate and reliable compared with free-handed implant surgery. However, deviation between implant virtual plan and implant real position may occur as a result of accumulated errors throughout the digital workflow. This article reviews the digital workflow of static computer-aided implant surgery. Factors that may affect the accuracy and clinical outcome of the guided surgery are also reviewed.