E.A.O. guidelines for the use of diagnostic imaging in implant dentistry 2011. A consensus workshop organized by the European Association for Osseointegration at the Medical University of Warsaw

TLDR

Diagnostic imaging is essential for patient selection and treatment planning in oral rehabilitation with osseointegrated implants, and since the 2002 EAO guidelines, advances in cone‑beam CT and implant applications have emerged, but radiation exposure must be justified and kept as low as reasonably achievable. This paper presents updated EAO recommendations from a 2011 consensus meeting at the Medical University of Warsaw to revise the guidelines. The authors detail radiological considerations—including justification, optimization, prescriber obligations, clinical indications, radiographic diagnostics, and future trends—to guide the use of diagnostic imaging in implant dentistry.

Abstract

Abstract Diagnostics imaging is an essential component of patient selection and treatment planning in oral rehabilitation by means of osseointegrated implants. In 2002, the EAO produced and published guidelines on the use of diagnostic imaging in implant dentistry. Since that time, there have been significant developments in both the application of cone beam computed tomography as well as in the range of surgical and prosthetic applications that can potentially benefit from its use. However, medical exposure to ionizing radiation must always be justified and result in a net benefit to the patient. The as low a dose as is reasonably achievable principle must also be applied taking into account any alternative techniques that might achieve the same objectives. This paper reports on current EAO recommendations arising from a consensus meeting held at the Medical University of Warsaw (2011) to update these guidelines. Radiological considerations are detailed, including justification and optimization, with a special emphasis on the obligations that arise for those who prescribe or undertake such investigations. The paper pays special attention to clinical indications and radiographic diagnostic considerations as well as to future developments and trends.