Impact of dental Cone-Beam computed tomography on diagnostic evaluation and treatment plan for the maxillary sinus in dental implant planning

Objective: To determine the impact of CBCT on diagnostic evaluation and treatment plan for the maxillary sinus in dental implant planning. Material and Methods: Diagnostic evaluation and treatment plan for the maxillary sinus were evaluated by eight specialists experienced in dental implant placement. Eight panoramic radiographs (PAN) and CBCT examinations were obtained from five adult patients with a specific clinical need for dental implants. Evaluation was performed first on PAN then, at least 2 weeks later, on CBCT. Residual alveolar ridge height, mucosal thickening, radiographic findings and treatment plan were recorded. The confidence level was evaluated for both diagnostic evaluation and treatment plan. The kappa statistic for intra-observer reproducibility and McNemar test were performed. Results: In the diagnostic evaluation, CBCT showed significant impact on the diagnosis of radiographic findings. Availability of CBCT significantly changed the treatment plan, for less invasive treatment, or no treatment need. Observers had significantly greater confidence when using CBCT than PAN, when indicating presence of mucosal thickening and radiographic findings in the maxillary sinus. In addition, CBCT increased confidence in the treatment plan. Conclusion: The present study suggests that CBCT has an impact on the diagnostic evaluation of radiographic findings in the maxillary sinus and on the decision to place implants, owing to misdiagnosis of pathology and planning of more invasive treatments when using PAN. Availability of CBCT also improves clinician confidence. Further studies at higher levels of diagnostic efficacy should be performed, to justify the use of CBCT, by evaluating the actual treatment performed and its outcome.