THE BENEFITS OF SEEING IN 3-D

Our office has recently integrated cone-beam computerized tomography, or CBCT, as part of our patient care, and everyone LOVES the new technology! Not only does it provide a more accurate picture of the teeth and mouth than a traditional x-ray, but it is easy and comfortable, especially if you are in pain or have sore teeth and gums and have difficulty biting down on a traditional x-ray sensor.

CBCT scans use radiation just as traditional x-rays do, but the newer CBCTs deliver the same or even less radiation than many of the older x-ray units and provide much higher resolution images. After just a few seconds of scanning, over 150 images are taken and assembled to create a single 3D picture. With all of this information gathered in a single scan, a CBCT scan is a quick and easy way to get a complete understanding of every part of your mouth.

The images created by a CBCT can show bone, airway, and soft tissue as well as teeth and any dental work you may have. It can be beneficial in obtaining a better overall view of your entire mouth, jaw, nasal, and/or throat areas. CBCT can be helpful in detecting tooth decay, bone loss, facial and tooth fractures, infections, abnormal growths, TMJ and airway issues, the location of nerves, and irregularities. With a 3-D image, things are seen that simply can not be detected on a 2-D x-ray. These images can help spot problems before they become severe issues and so that we can determine how best to treat them.

As with any radiographic technique, it is important to monitor radiation dosage over time. CBCT images should be taken conservatively when needed, but with today’s new and improved CBCTs, you can rest easy knowing that the amount of radiation emitted is fairly low.