Abstract

BESHTAWI, KR; PECK, MT; MAHMOUD, HM  and  CHETTY, M. Dental implant imaging: What do South African dentists and dental specialists prefer?. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2021, vol.76, n.8, pp.448-456. ISSN 0375-1562.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2519-0105/2021/v76no7a1.

AIMS: To document the types of imaging modalities that are commonly prescribed during dental implant therapy in South Africa MATERIAL AND METHODS:The radiographic preferences were obtained from practitioners via an electronic survey that was disseminated during local dental conferences, electronic channels (e.g., email lists) of multiple dental schools and local dental scientific societies, and personal interviews. The survey consisted of multiple-choice questions which were designed to investigate the most common radiographic prescriptions during various treatment phases of implant therapy. RESULTS: The responses of one hundred and forty-two participants (General practitioners and dental specialists) practising in different South African provinces were collected and assessed. Principally, panoramic radiographs combined with cone beam computed tomography (PAN + CBCT) followed by CBCT, as a single examination (ASE), were the most preferable modalities during the implant planning phase (39% and 29%, respectively). During and directly after the surgery, periapical radiographs (ASE) were the most preferred (87% and 65%, respectively CONCLUSION:The most widely preferred radiographic examination during the planning of implants was panoramic radiographs combined with CBCT. Periapical radiographs (ASE) were favoured during, directly after the treatment, and during the follow-up of asymptomatic patients by the majority of participants. However, CBCT (ASE) was preferred in the follow up of symptomatic patients. Factors related to extra anatomical information and superior dimensional accuracy provided by three-dimensional volumes (e.g., CBCT volumes), were the most indicated influencing factors on the radiographic prescriptions during implant planning.

Keywords : Dental implant; radiographic prescription; survey; CBCT.

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