There’s no question that x-ray imaging has transformed the way we diagnose and treat dental problems. But traditional x-rays have at least one limitation — they are two-dimensional portraits that can only provide a portion of the information available. If you could view the interior of teeth or other mouth structures in three dimensions, you would have access to more detail about their conditions.
Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)
Computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanning used at the Novato Dentist office has brought that third dimensional view to physicians generally and, in more recent years, to dentists. The latest development in this technology is known as Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).
A CBCT emits a spiral of x-rays that form a cone-shaped beam that is caught on detectors. Using digital geometry, the CBCT then generates a three-dimensional image by precisely “layering” this large series of two-dimensional images caught by the detectors on top of each other.
Benefits of CBCT Technology
CBCT is already making a significant impact in dentistry and its related specialties. We can now visualize the three-dimensional anatomy of your teeth, jaws, facial bone and other structures in the head and neck area with amazingly precise detail.
Using CBCT, we can determine the precise location of impacted teeth and their exact proximity to nerves and sinuses. When diagnosing gum disease, we can better determine the level of bone loss and gum attachment for more accurate diagnoses and effective treatment.
A low dosage CBCT scan can provide us with a level of detail that gives us a very accurate view of anatomical features (including bone density and mass) in three dimensions. That capability can dramatically elevate the accuracy of diagnoses and lay the foundation for effective dental treatment.
Please Contact Us for More Information
We know that you probably have a lot of questions about this exciting new technology and how it can benefit you. Please give our office a call, and we’ll be happy to arrange a consultation to explain more about CBCT technology.