Why You Need a 3-Dimensional CAT Scan for Dental Imlants

Working as a Prosthodontist, a dental specialist in Prosthetic dentistry, for 20 years, I have seen many advances made in technology that has allowed my dentistry to get better and better.  One of the technologies that has revolutionized the field of implant dentistry is the 3-D CAT Scan.  As the name implies, this incredibly accurate x-ray allows dentists to visualize the exact shape of the bone before any implant procedure is done.  The CAT Scan allows the doctor to measure precisely the height, length and width of the bone prior to the implant surgery.  Consider the unbelievable benefit this gives to you - an incredibly successful result!  Why then doesn't every office do this for their patients?  Several reasons come to mind.

First, most offices are unwilling to make the financial investment necessary to have this sophisticated piece of equipment in their office.  While this machine (pictured to the left) probably looks very similar to a machine you might have seen in so many dental offices called a panorex, it really is completely different in that it not only takes a traditional two dimensional x-ray like a panorex, but also allows us to take the three dimensional scan we are discussing.  To the dentist, this means making a significant financial investment.  The doctor that chooses to make that investment typically understands that the benefits to both the patient (precision surgery, less invasive surgery) and the doctor (higher rate of success, ability to utilize a surgical guide) will far outweigh the upfront costs with savings on the back end.  Secondly, many doctors are unable to properly determine how the interpret the scans and unwilling to learn.  Take a look at the picture just below which depicts what a traditional 3-dimensional image looks like.  There is a learning curve for the doctor to have the knowledge to interpret these images accurately for the patient.  Finally, many doctors are stuck in their ways and unable to change.  This is something many of us, regardless of chosen career, may have difficulty with but with change comes growth and the ability to ultimately provide a significantly better and more predictable outcome for our patients.

In my opinion, a 3-D CAT Scan should be done on every patient no matter how simplistic the implant procedure is.  It gives the doctor the most precise information prior to surgery which makes the procedure the most predictable yielding the best results for the patient.  Having a 3-D CAT Scan done prior to any implant surgery also allows the fabrication of a surgical guide allowing the implants to be placed WITHOUT cutting the gums open and then having to stitch them closed.  The surgical guide is a template which is placed in the mouth and held in place, which controls precisely how the implant area is prepared.  It controls the exact length, width and depth which the implant is placed and eliminates any variable that would allow improper implant placement.    This makes the healing after the procedure very routine and easy for the patient and subsequently a successful implant treatment result.

Surgical Guide or Template

By: Dr. Michael Ramer