What is a CBCT scan or 3D scan?
Cone-beam computed tomography systems (CBCT) are a variation of traditional computed tomography (CT) systems. The CBCT systems used by dental professionals rotate around the patient, capturing data using a cone-shaped X-ray beam. These data are used to reconstruct a three-dimensional (3D) image of the following regions of the patient’s anatomy: dental (teeth); oral and maxillofacial region (mouth, jaws, and sinus).
What is a CBCT scan used for?
There are various clinical applications including dental implant planning, visualization of abnormal teeth, evaluation of the jaws and face, cleft palate assessment, diagnosis of dental caries (cavities), endodontic (root canal) diagnosis, diagnosis of cancerous lesions, and diagnosis of dental trauma.
What are the benefits of a CBCT scan?
Most general dentists do not have a dental CBCT in their office. After using this valuable tool in our office for several years now we would never want to do dentistry without it. Digital X-ray imaging, including dental CBCT, provides a fast, non-invasive way of answering a number of clinical questions. Dental CBCT images provide three-dimensional (3-D) information, rather than the two-dimensional (2-D) information provided by a conventional X-ray image. This helps with the diagnosis, treatment planning and evaluation of certain conditions that would not be possible with traditional X-rays. We can’t count the number of times we have been able to clearly diagnose a condition using the CBCT scan when it was was not visible on a conventional 2D radiograph. CBCT scans have become the standard of care when planning and placing implants and performing all on 4 implant dentures. Radiation doses from dental CBCT exams are up to 15 times lower than a conventional CT scan.