CT scan for dental implants

**Marissa** · 05-08-2009, 01:00 PM

Hi

I need to have two dental implants placed in my lower jaw near the back of the jaw and a bridge put on top of the implants. My dentist has recommended that I have a CT scan done so that he could see the area better on the CT scan for his planning.

Could you tell me what is the point of doing a CT scan of my jaw, I have been quoted £395 for this and I am wondering if the surgery can be done without such an expense.

What is the benefit of having a CT scan done? Are there any dangers in not having a CT scan done before having dental implants?

**Dr Vahid Motahar** · 06-08-2009, 12:35 PM

Hi,

Thank you for your question.

CT scan for dental implant is an extremely effective diagnostic tool. What it does it allows the practitioner to assess and virtually view the amount of the bone present in your jaw for the placement of the implants.
Implant placement can be done without Ct scan but it can be a bit like working blindly or in darkness. It is not always necessary when for a simple case the surgeon is sure of the volume of the bone present so we can plan the procedure for the type and size of the implant that we can use. If this certainty is not achievable clinically then CT scan becomes very useful.
If you do not do the scan, at the time of surgery when the gum is pushed back bone is assessed and if there are any deficiencies, and substantial bone grafting is needed then things can be delayed as planning has to be revised.

Sometimes even the reverse can be true. For example it may be thought that for placement of a an implant bone augmentation will be necessary. By doing a Ct scan the volume of the bone is assessed much more accurately and then there may be enough to do the implant. So no need for grafting and a lot of saving for the patient and shortened length of the treatment

So it is a good idea to have CT scan for such a procedure as you have mentioned in you question but for the price you have mentioned, I strongly suggest you to come and see us because I think you will be pleasantly surprised to hear how much are the charges for CT scans at Pearl Dental Clinic! I just tell you this with the money you save you probably can go on a nice weekend holiday for two people!

**Jennifer Brown** · 10-08-2009, 10:38 PM

I have had a lot of dental x-rays and am worried about radiation from the CT scan which I understand is three times as high as from a panoramic x-ray. Should I be concerned?

**Dr Vahid Motahar** · 10-08-2009, 11:39 PM

Hi,

Thank you for your question.

It depends what you mean by saying you have had a lot of dental radiographs and exposure to radiation. But as a hole there is not much radiation in dental implants and with cone beam CT scan which is what we suggest and have our patients to do, the exposure is minimized and there is little radiation risk.

**Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani** · 10-08-2009, 11:44 PM

Thank you for your post. In some implant cases, Xrays by themselves are sufficient for assessing the bone from a height point of view.

From a width point of view in some implant cases, its obvious that there is enough bone available and there is no need for a CT scan. However in some cases, a CT scan will be a help to give the implant dentist more information.

We always send patients for a cone beam CT scan and a cone beam CT scan radiation dose is around 1/3 of a normal CT scan. However as with all radiation imaging, the risks have to be balanced against the benefits and a clinical decision made.