Why the CBCT Can be a Dentist’s Best Friend
Dental cone beam computed tomography (CT) is a special type of x-ray equipment used when regular dental or facial x-rays are not sufficient. The dentist may use this technology to produce 3D images of your teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways and bone in a single scan.
Cone Beam Computed Tomography
CBCT has become increasingly important in treatment planning and diagnosis in implant dentistry, but also in other fields – ENT, orthopedics, and interventional radiology, among others. Due to increased access to such technology, CBCT scanners are finding many uses in dentistry, such as in oral surgery, endodontics and orthodontics. Cone beam CT images allow for more precise treatment planning.
During dental/orthodontic imaging, the CBCT scanner rotates around the patient’s head, obtaining up to nearly 600 distinct images. CT scans and cone beam CT both produce high-quality images. Dental cone beam CT was developed as a means of producing similar types of images but with a much smaller and less expensive machine that fits in an outpatient office.
