Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com Abbreviations: MDCT, multidetector computed tomography; CBCT, cone beam computed tomography; CT, computed tomogra- phy; PA, periapical radiographs; DPR, dental panoramic radiographs; TACT, tuned aperture computed tomography Introduction During the last couple of decades implant dentistry has evolved to become important part of modern dental practice. Until late 1980s dental implant treatment was restricted to edentulous patients only and was done at selected universities or specialist dental centers by a team of specialist dentists. 1,2 Later with developments in implant material, design and components the dental implants found their application partially edentulous patients. 3 Success of any dental treatment depends on accurate diagnosis and proper treatment planning. Diagnostic imaging techniques are important tool for treatment planning of implant prosthesis. 2‒4 Implant treatment planning requires radiographic examination of the implant site to ascertain information about the quality and the quantity of the bone available at the implant site and to accurately locate the position of any critical anatomical structure present in immediate vicinity of the implant site. Until late 1980s conventional radiographic techniques such as intraoral periapical radiographs, cephalometric and panoramic views were considered standards. With developments in radiography many more sophisticated cross-sectional radiographic imaging techniques like reformatted computerized tomography were introduced for implant dental treatment. In the year 2000, the American academy of oral and maxillofacial radiology specifed that conventional cross-sectional tomography should be employed for the implant patients. 5 Currently a wide variety of imaging techniques are available ranging from simple two dimensional conventional imaging techniques like intraoral periapical radiographs (PA) and dental panoramic radiographs (DPR) to highly accurate three dimensional imaging techniques like computed tomography (CT) and cone beam tomography (CBCT). Therefore selection of imaging technique for implant treatment planning has become a challenge. 3,5 Dental panoramic radiographs have disadvantage of distortion and magnifcation and require radio opaque marker to correct distortion. On the other hand intra oral periapical radiograph is accurate but have the limitations in accurately locating critical anatomical structures like inferior alveolar canal. Computed tomography (CT) and cone beam tomography (CBCT) is highly accurate and give three dimensional images but have a drawback of higher radiation dose. In this article latest imaging modalities for dental implants will be discussed along with their advantages and disadvantages. 4,5 Tomography Term tomography originated from Greek language and is a combination of two words “Tomo” (Slice or section) and “Graph” (Picture). 4,6 Devise used is called tomography and while the three dimensional image produced is called Tomogram. In This technique clear images of structures lying in one plan are obtained by blurring out the structures not in the desired plane. 6 Conventional tomography is useful for single implant site or for multiple implants within one quadrant. Tomographic slices are cross- sectional and are as thin as 1mm. Magnifcation of conventional tomographic images is constant in all directions therefore measurements can be made using a special ruler provided with appropriate scale or measurements can be made using a measurement programme in case of digital images. 7 Conventional tomography is not of much help in determining the difference in most bone densities or identifying any disease at implant site. Tomography is highly technique sensitive with superimposition of surrounding structure results in blurring of the image. 8 Diagnostic quality of tomographic images is determined by the type of tomographic motion, section thicknes and the degree of Int J Radiol Radiat Ther. 2017;3(5):288‒290. 288 © 2017 Hussain et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially. Latest trends in imaging techniques for dental implant: a literature review Volume 3 Issue 5 - 2017 Muhammad Waqar Hussain, 1 Muhammad Aamir Ghafoor Chaudhary, 2 Abdul Razzaq Ahmed, 1 Shahabe Saquib Abullais 3 1 Department of Prosthodontics, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia 2 Department of Prosthodontics, Riphah International University Islamabad, Pakistan 3 Department of Periodontics and Community Dental Sciences, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia Correspondence: Shahabe Saquib Abullais, Department of Periodontics and Community Dental Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Asir, Saudi Arabia, Email drsaquin24@gmail.com Received: May 28, 2017 | Published: July 28, 2017 Abstract During the past fewyears replacement of the missing teeth with dental implants has become an indispensible part of modern dental practice. As with other branches of dentistry for the optimal success in dental implant treatment proper diagnosis and treatment planning are the prerequisites. For proper diagnosis and treatment planning Implant imaging techniques and their accurate interpretation is a very crucial step. Radiography is the only non-surgical method of assessment of quality and the quantity of the bone at implant site. With the advent of several types of imaging techniques ranging from conventional two dimensional intraoral periapical radiographs and orthopantograph to highly sophisticated multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) selection of appropriate imaging technique for implant treatment planning has become a challenge for the clinicians. In this article latest imaging techniques used in implant dental practice are discussed along with their advantages and disadvantages in comparison with the conventional imaging techniques. Keywords: implant imaging techniques, computed tomography, multidetector computed tomography International Journal of Radiology & Radiation Terapy Case Report Open Access