Dental Cone Beams/3D X-Rays
South Scottsdale Dental Care offers dental cone beam CT, also known as CBCT. Dental cone beam CT is a particular type of dental imaging we use when regular dental x-rays do not give us sufficient images to plan your treatment. CBCT has become more efficient in diagnosing and planning treatments for oral surgery, endodontics, implant dentistry, and orthodontics. This imaging provides a better 3-D image of your teeth, bone, soft tissues, and nerve pathways in just one scan.
How do Dental Cone Beam CTs work?
CBCT scans are quick and efficient, taking less than 10 seconds for a regional scan and only around 40 seconds for a full mouth scan. During this scan, the CBCT scanner rotates around your head and takes up to 600 different images. After your scan is complete, a 3-D image will be constructed that can be manipulated to see each different angle for the dentist to see your entire structure, including teeth, soft tissues, bone, and nerve pathways. This allows the dentist to determine the right treatment plan for you.
How is a Dental CBCT helpful?
A dental CBCT is not necessary for every patient. Typically we use these for cases where we need more information to be able to provide the best treatment plan. CBCT scanners can be used for the following:
- Oral surgery and surgical planning
- Evaluating nerve canals, sinuses, the nasal cavity, and the jaw
- Accurate placement of dental implants
- Orthodontic planning & implant anchorage
- Airway study (sleep apnea)
- Detect and measure jaw tumors
- Determine tooth orientation and bone structure
- Evaluating periodontal disease
- Diagnosing and analyzing TMJ
- Detecting endodontic anomalies
- Locate pain origin or pathology
- To Evaluate and determine any reconstructive surgery needs