Use of imaging guides in preimplant tomography

Objectives. The objective of this study was to quantify the variation in use and type of imaging guides used by community-based specialists and general practitioners during dental implant treatment planning phases. The specific aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that specialists are more likely to use some form of cross-sectional imaging in conjunction with imaging guides during the preoperative assessment of dental implant procedures. Study Design. Records from 630 patients with implants (1640 implants) referred for cross-sectional tomography were reviewed. Imaging guide type and implant sites were noted. Results. The distribution of referring dentists by specialty was as follows: general practitioners (42.2%), periodontists (35.1%), oral and maxillofacial surgeons (13.3%), and prosthodontists (7%). Of patients referred for tomograms, 52% were referred without a surgical guide. Conclusion. Specialists ordered tomograms in conjunction with imaging guides more often than did general practitioners. Prosthodontists and periodontists preferred to use more restrictive guides than did general practitioners or oral and maxillofacial surgeons. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2002;93:483-7)