Using cross-sectional tomography to perform exploratory radiography in lieu of exploratory surgery.

Preoperative treatment planning for dental implants is crucial to their integration and especially prosthetic rehabilitation. Exploratory radiography is an essential component of treatment planning. Radiographic examination using cross-sectional tomography as an adjunct to panoramic radiographs can significantly decrease the incidence of exploratory surgery that could result in unplanned bone augmentation procedures due to insufficiency in alveolar bone height, width, quantity, quality, and will not allow proper aesthetic prosthetic rehabilitation subsequent to improper implant placement.