CAD/CAM international magazine of digital dentistry

I feature _ interview 14 I _The ability to examine the craniofacial anatomy with help of three-dimensional images obtained through Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) has been praised as the new goldstandardinoralsurgery.CAD/CAMrecently had the opportunity to speak with Prof. Stefan Haßfeld from the University of Dortmund’s De- partmentofOralandCranio-MaxillofacialSurgery in Germany about the technology and its future potential at the FDI Annual World Dental Congress in Hong Kong. _CAD/CAM: Prof. Haßfeld, in your opinion, hasCBCTbecomeastandardindentistry? Prof. Stefan Haßfeld: CBCT has been available in dentistry for over a decade and since then has beenestablishedasastandardformanyindications. Despite this development, I doubt that the tech- nology will make traditional imaging obsolete any time soon. Instead, it will be used as an aid in more complex treatments. _One of the areas in which CBCT is used is im- plant treatment planning. What are the other main areasofapplication? Nowadays, the technology is widely used in complex oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures. For example, we regularly examine large cysts and deeply impacted third molars with CBCT. Its use can also be of benefit for the diagnosis of maxillary sinus diseases, as well as in traumatology or the correction of anomalies and dysgnathias. _What potential does the technology offer re- gardingtheimprovementoftreatmentoutcomes? In contrast to traditional imaging, CBCT allows thehumanautonomyandpathologytobeassessed in detail in 3-D space. This can be extremely helpful for treatment planning and the assessment of re- gions that present a surgical risk, like adjacent nerves, teeth or blood vessels. In many cases, we expect a significant reduction in operative risks and an improvement in surgical planning. _According to the industry, the radiation dose forpatientsissignificantlylowerwithCBCT.Doyou agreewiththisstatement? I would have to disagree, since compared with traditional imaging, CBCT usually has a higher ra- diation dose. However, it also yields completely different information. By taking a high number of single images from different angles, CBCT can pro- vide lower radiation doses only in a few exceptional cases. _Is this the only drawback compared with tra- ditionalimagingtechniques? As CBCT has another field of indications, com- parison with traditional imaging techniques is not appropriate.However,thereareindeedsomeshort- comings, like higher radiation doses and costs, as well as a lower resolution compared with dental film. _What role will CBCT play in dental practices in thefuture? CBCT will take root in dental practices, particu- larly in those with emphasis on surgery, when it comes to certain complex treatment issues. For all the mentioned reasons, traditional imaging meth- ods will not disappear. ApanoramicX-rayimage,forexample,provides an excellent overview of the entire jaw arch for clinically oriented examinations, with only little effort and at a small radiation dose. Dental film still offers the highest resolution for viewing de- tails. Rather, the establishment of CBCT for dental imaging offers us additional options for daily practice. _Thankyouverymuchforthisinterview. CAD/CAM 4_2012 Prof. Stefan Haßfeld Traditional imaging will not disappear with CBCT An interview with Prof. Stefan Haßfeld, Germany “In many cases, we expect a significant reduction in operative risks and an improvement in surgical planning.”