Since they check your mouth for gum disease, jaw issues, and oral cancers, dentists do a lot more than just keep our teeth healthy. The mouth is a complex system of organs, and not all of them can be optimally monitored with traditional methods. If a dentist suspects that a patient is dealing with a problem that can’t be seen with an oral exam or an X-ray, they may use special imaging technology to get a proper view of the problem and design an effective treatment plan. Here’s why your dentist might be using a cone beam CT scanner in their office.
How Can Cone Beam CT Scanners Help Diagnose Dental Problems?
Using machines called cone beam CT scanners, dentists can create a three-dimensional image of a patient’s mouth with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). This modern medical imaging technique is a specialized dental X-ray that projects a cone-shaped beam of X-rays to create a detailed image of the oral area. This can be used for diagnosing gum disease, mapping out the jaw for dental implants, and a plethora of other reasons.
What’s It Like to Be Treated with a Cone Beam CT Scanner?
When a patient receives a CBCT scan, the cone beam CT scanner rotates around their head so it can capture images from many angles and construct a three-dimensional map of the mouth. This process is completely painless and the patient can expect to return to normal activities after the scan.
When Is a CBCT Scan Necessary?
Cone beam CT scanners are incredibly useful for diagnosing a variety of dental ailments. The American Association of Endodontists recommends that dentists use CBCT scans to diagnose problems located beneath the gums to help plan oral surgery. CBCT may also be used for:
- Planning orthodontic treatments
- Planning dental implant surgeries
- Diagnosing gum disease
- Diagnosing TMJ issues
- Locating tumors in the jaw
- Locating the root causes of oral pain
- Evaluating soft tissues, nerve pathways, nasal passages, and bone structures
Improving technology allows dentists to provide effective and efficient oral care services. Cone beam CT scanners can help dentists catch and treat dangerous oral health issues, potentially saving a patient much illness and suffering.
About the Practice
Elmbrook Family Dental provides families with comprehensive oral health treatments from two locations in Brookfield, WI. Led by a team of seven dentists, the staff delivers effective health services in a clean and comfortable environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more information on the advanced dental technology used at these offices, contact the practice online.