3-D Imaging: Changing the Treatment Landscape

Other applications related to implant therapy include treatment planning and fabrication of guided surgery templates via third-party software. Often, sites augmented prior to implant placement do not require further soft- or hard-tissue regeneration. Performing flapless implant placement under these conditions may be possible. The inaccuracy of “blind” implant placement may be unacceptable.¹ Fabrication of a computer-generated stent can greatly reduce the risk of implant malpositioning, which can reduce morbidity associated with open surgery and assure proper placement.²

One aspect of CBCT scanning frequently overlooked is the diagnoses of pathologies not easily identified through clinical examination and standard, 2-dimensional radiography.³ Tangential views, not obscured by the buccal and lingual/palatal cortices, often identify periapical lesions associated with endodontic pathology. Other intraosseous lesions can also be visualized, and their extent can be identified in an office setting, prior to surgical removal. The risks of these surgeries, as they relate to proximity to vital structures, can also be evaluated. Sinus pathology, such as sinusitis, cysts, mucoceles, and other neoplasms, can also be discovered prior to performing surgery such as implant placement or sinus grafts; furthermore, the referral to otolaryngology can be done before untoward complications occur after dental surgery.

Dr. Mandelaris

As a periodontist practicing in an evolving era of interdisciplinary therapy, I believe it is the changing context and culture of our profession that has led to this discussion of 3-D imaging. Periodontics is a specialty that was born, in part, out of the necessity for interdisciplinary therapy. As I see it, the six cornerstones of future periodontal specialty practice will include: 1) dental implant and related bone regeneration; 2) management of inflammatory periodontal diseases; 3) perio-restorative therapy; 4) oral medicine; 5) esthetic and regenerative surgical therapy (including tissue engineering); and 6) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging and foundational occlusion. All of these cornerstones will be viewed in the context of personalized patient evaluation, risk assessment, and wellness, of which CBCT will be an inherent component. From my context and practice culture, I would argue that 3-D imaging, which, of course, must be practiced under ALARA principles, is hardly limited to implant therapy. CBCT is nothing short of a “game changer” when it comes to diagnosis, prognosis, interdisciplinary treatment opportunities, and opening up capabilities in the patient education process. In my opinion, volumetric DICOM assessment has become the impetus for periodontics to go beyond conventional disease-based assessment and dentogingival complex evaluation to become an even more dynamic specialty as it pertains to patient assessment and as a treatment-planning partner. CBCT imaging uniquely offers interdisciplinary opportunities with restorative dentistry, other dental specialties, and medical colleagues for collaboration on patient care, because it now makes factual data (or “anatomic truth”) available for an objective assessment by all. Nearly every component of interdisciplinary planning is improved by the inclusion of volumetric CBCT data, and regional anatomy is more accurate with CBCT compared to traditional radiology measures.^4,5

Perhaps the most exciting opportunities for CBCT involve the ability to evaluate regional and craniomandibular anatomy and the permutations that such information brings to comprehensive patient care. Historically, the factual condition and position of many structures went unrecognized or ignored in the diagnostic process because they were never part of the full-mouth x-ray data set for interpretation. Today, intermaxillary skeletal relationships, airway and pharyngeal space assessments, internal and external carotid artery calcifications, periapical status, facial bone thickness, temporomandibular joint-based evaluation, axial inclinations of teeth within dentoalveolar bone and corresponding inter-incisal angle relationships, dentoalveolar and alveoloskeletal pattern determinations, and considerations for alternative orthodontic approaches are all part of the expanded culture of practice when taking a global and dynamic approach to patient care and diagnostics, which CBCT affords. Thus, as the context and culture of periodontics evolves and changes—yet remains interdisciplinary at its core—there will likely be few clinical situations that don’t benefit from the use of CBCT. CBCT represents a change to traditional practice culture but is no doubt a part of dentistry’s future.

Dr. Baumgarten

If this question had been asked 10 or 15 years ago, most clinicians would think of applications for 3-D radiographic imaging. In fact, computed tomography (CT) scanning has become an integral part of practices in almost every dental specialty. The ready availability of cone-beam scanners has greatly expanded the use of 3-D radiographic imaging. The obvious applications include: pre-surgical work-up prior to implant placement, third-molar extractions, exposure of impacted teeth prior to orthodontic therapy, and diagnosis and treatment of traumatic injuries. CT scans allow the surgeon to fabricate precise surgical guides that allow for exact dental implant placement, often using a minimally invasive approach. Orthodontists have found CT scans invaluable in the diagnosis and treatment planning of both dental and skeletal malocclusions. Endodontists use CT scans when diagnosing and treating periapical pathology.

Today, 3-D imaging encompasses a whole host of applications that are non-radiographic in nature. In the clinical setting, intraoral scanning has, for the most part, taken the place of conventional crown and bridge impression materials. The impression is made using an intraoral scanner, and that file is then sent to a milling center that mills a polyurethane model, upon which the restoration is fabricated. The 3-D file is also available to the laboratory if needed.

In the dental laboratory, 3-D imaging and CAD/CAM techniques have revolutionized the fabrication of dental restorations. The ready availability of desktop laser scanners allows technicians to image master casts and/or final impressions. These 3-D files are then used in dental design software to design almost every type of restoration imaginable. These restorations can then be fabricated using a variety of both digital and conventional laboratory techniques.

As digital workflows become more refined, dentistry will start to see the merging of 3-D radiographic imaging with other modalities to greatly enhance clinicians’ ability to treat their patients.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Barry P. Levin, DMD
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology; Private Practice limited to Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania

George A. Mandelaris, DDS, MS
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, New Orleans, Louisiana; Diplomate and Examiner, American Board of Periodontology; Private Practice limited to Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery, Park Ridge and Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Harold S. Baumgarten, DMD
Clinical Professor, Periodontal Prosthesis Post-Doctoral Program, Department of Periodontics, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Private Practice, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

REFERENCES

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2. Bornstein MM, Al Nawas B, Kuchler U, Tahmaseb A. Consensus Statements and Recommended Clinical Procedures Regarding Contemporary Surgical and Radiographic Techniques in Implant Dentistry [published online ahead of print]. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2013 Aug 15; doi: 10.11607/jomi.2013.g1.

3. Allareddy V, Vincent SD, Hellstein JW, et al. Ruprecht A. Incidental findings on cone beam computed tomography images. Int J Dent. 2012 Dec 10; doi:10.1155/2012/871532.

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5. Misch KA, Yi ES, Sarment DP. Accuracy of cone beam computed tomography for periodontal defect measurements. J Periodontol. 2006;77(7):1261-1266.