Tomografía computerizada: introducción a las aplicaciones dentales

introduction and goals: the increasing complexity of dental techniques has been correlated with increased diagnostic accuracy. dental implantology development has placed computed tomography (ct) as the first diagnostic tool in treatment planning. our aim is to explain the capabilities and features of ct imaging in order to allow dentists to take informed decisions and integrate this technique into their work.. also, they must know ct diagnostic capabilities in their referrals. objectives: the aim of this paper is to show the surgical technique used. besides, the indications, contraindications and complications are described. material and method: by means of a review of the most updated and didactic literature, we describe the current indications of ct in the field of dentistry. finally, we will explain ct technology and the different kind of images obtained. the article is structured as follows: indications, ct technology, geometric considerations and image reconstruction techniques. this comprises surface rendering, maximum intensity, volume rendering and multiplanar reformatting. results: detailed exposition by means of pictures of the different kind of images obtained by ct, according to the reconstruction techniques used.