3D SCan (CBCT)
Dr. Mark O’Banion believes in offering cutting-edge technology to his patients. He continually strives to become more knowledgeable and a leader in his field. This is one reason he has chosen a 3D Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) machine in his office. This allows him to evaluate and diagnose teeth and bony structures that just isn’t possible with only the normal 2D radiographs or x-rays.
What Is Cone Beam Computed Tomography?
A cone-beam CT creates a 3D view and cross-sections of the area of interest. The information it provides is critical for a number of procedures, including placing dental implants, performing a complex root canal or extraction, or searching for the source of pain or infection. CBCT gives us the information we need about your condition before your treatment.
What Is the Difference Between CBCT And A Hospital CT or CAT Scan?
Dental cone beam CT emits less radiation and provides a more complete picture than CT and CAT scans. Hospital CTs work by taking a series of parallel X-ray images of the head, from top to bottom. That leaves gaps between each image, which have to be filled by the computer’s educated guesses, and that many X-rays come with a lot of radiation. Dental CBCT imaging provides a very high-resolution image of a small area (about the size of an ice cube). This allows for precise diagnosis and visualization of minute changes in and around your teeth.
A cone-beam CT circles the head, which overlaps each image or slice, leaving no gaps. The radiation is also much weaker. The most radiation hits the area of interest, which is where the images overlap to construct the 3D model. This is how CBCT is able to provide a more complete image with less radiation exposure.
How Will A Cone Beam CT Help In Your Diagnosis?
Aside from providing more complete information, dental CBCT scans emit very little radiation, equivalent to just one day of normal background radiation. The risk of such a low level of radiation is much less than that of getting an inaccurate diagnosis. A CBCT scan ensures that we will be able to diagnose you with the best possible accuracy.