Year : 2027

Volume : Volume 18

Issue : Issue 1

Address for correspondence :
Dr Deepti Singh Hada
dr.deeptihada@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: Successful implant therapy requires precise assessment of available bone, proximity to vital anatomical structures, and prosthetically driven positioning of fixtures. Diagnostic imaging plays a central role in this process, guiding implant placement and prognosis assessment before and after surgery. Conventional radiographic modalities such as periapical and panoramic radiographs provide essential information but suffer from magnification, distortion, and limited three dimensional appreciation of the implant site. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has emerged as a dedicated three dimensional imaging modality for dentoalveolar structures, offering multiplanar visualization and accurate linear measurements with relatively low radiation compared with medical CT. This narrative review compares CBCT based implant planning with conventional radiography in terms of diagnostic performance, planning changes, surgical and prosthetic outcomes, and risk–benefit considerations. Evidence indicates that CBCT frequently alters implant size and position selection, improves prediction of implant length, and enhances safety near the mandibular canal and maxillary sinus. However, the impact on implant survival, marginal bone levels, and patient reported outcomes is less pronounced, and routine CBCT for straightforward cases remains controversial in light of radiation protection principles. Clinicians should therefore individualize imaging protocols, reserving CBCT for situations where complex anatomy, limited bone volume, or proximity to critical structures justifies three dimensionals assessment.