Cone Beam CT Scan Imaging
Cone Beam CT Scan Imaging, also known as CBCT, is considered an important innovation in dental X-ray diagnostics, particularly for dental, oral and maxillofacial surgery. Unlike regular X-rays, CBCT scans can differentiate among many types of tissue including bone, teeth and nerves.
Benefits of CBCT
CBCT has several advantages over traditional scanning which include the following:
High Resolution and 3-D imaging - This enables subtle structures like root canals or the periodontal ligament to be clearly displayed.
Lower Radiation Exposure - CBCT uses significantly lower radiation than traditional CT scans and has a lower rate of image disturbance caused by metallic structures.
Duplicate Imaging - CBCT provides images of both bone and soft tissue at the same time.
CBCT Applications
Cone Beam CT Scanning (CBCT) is commonly used for pre- and post-operative evaluation and assisting in the treatment of the following:
- Dental implant placement
- Displaced or impated teeth
- Cleft-palate malformations
- Bone and tooth fractures
- Maxillary sinus examination
- Diagnosis of jaw conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ
- Detection, measurement and treatment of jaw tumors
- Location of the origin of pain
CBCT is an effective tool in assisting us with various diagnosis and treatments. Depending on a patient's particular condition, Dr. Anderson will decide whether the use of a CBCT is appropriate.
Additional Resources
- Medline Plus
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- U.S. National Library of Medicine
- WebMD