Here at First Impressions, we make it a point to offer our patients the latest in dental technology. One piece of equipment that we’re particularly excited about is the CBCT Scanner.
What Is a CBCT?
CBCT stands for cone beam computed tomography. Essentially this means that a cone-shaped beam will scan your mouth and jaw area. The collected data from this scan allows us to build a complete 3D image of your facial structures.
There are two items of particular interest about cone beam CT scans that we want to share with you.
The first is that they do something a regular x-ray cannot: they allow us to see hard tissues—such as bone—alongside other soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and gum tissue.
The second is that the cone shape of the beam allows for 3D accuracy that is not found in many other scanners.
If you’ve ever tried to take a photo of something and struggled to get the picture to look as good as the actual object then you’re familiar with some of the problems that come with 2D imaging in dentistry.
However, when we can see all of your facial systems together and put them into an accurate 3D image, we are able to accurately see their spatial relationships. This capability allows us to better diagnose and treat your dental conditions.
The Benefits of Using a CBCT Scanner
Efficiency | This scanner only takes a few seconds to get all the information it needs, and it can do so with much less radiation than traditional x-rays.
Quality | The images collected through this scanner are high-definition and highly accurate, making the information they convey about your health invaluable.
Comfort | To experience a CBCT scan, you don’t have to do anything. There are no wings of film to bite or scan receptors to awkwardly hold in place. You simply stand there as the cone beam does all the work.
Diagnosis | Diagnosis can happen faster and with more confidence due to the high level of detail in the images that instantly appear on the computer screen.
Planning | CBCT scans allow us to plan orthodontic adjustment or implant placement with great accuracy. We can use the digital models to work out your treatment plan ahead of time and predict how it will progress.
Endodontics | We can see the insides of your teeth with these scans, therefore allowing us to spot and treat endodontic problems like never before.
Options | A CBCT scan may open up options for a patient. Based on a simple exam and traditional x-ray, a patient may not have been considered a candidate for an implant, but a more detailed 3D scan could reveal that their bone structure is actually prime for such a treatment.
Focus | The cone beam of this scanner can be focused to a very specific spot in the mouth, allowing us to gather more detail on it.
Talk to Us at First Impressions
We’re excited to be able to improve our dentistry practice and your health through the use of this technology and other excellent machines and processes. If you’d like to know more about the CBCT scanner or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office.
