New Technology, Part 2: 3-D Imaging

Traditional dental x-rays, like the ones you get regularly to check for decay, are two-dimensional images. Even the panoramic x-ray that goes around your head to capture all your teeth, jaw bone, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and sinuses in one image is still 2-D. While this is fine in most cases, there are certain situations when a three-dimensional image would greatly assist in diagnosis, treatment planning, and delivery of treatment for the patient. Enter “cone beam computed tomography” (i.e. cone beam CT, CBCT, or 3-D scan).

These 3-D scans are not replacing traditional 2-D x-rays but rather supplementing them. They are taken the same way a panoramic x-ray is taken – sitting or standing while the machine rotates around you scanning to render a three dimensional image of a specific region. They are able to accurately capture teeth, bone, temporomandibular joint, nerve canals, some soft tissues, and various pathologies (infections, cysts, benign/malignant tumors, etc.). Once the 3-D image is acquired, the dentist can manipulate it by rotating it 360 degrees and by isolating and evaluating individual slices of the image.

Being able to have an extremely accurate image like this helps in many areas of dentistry. It aids in evaluating impacted third molars before extraction, in determining if there is enough bone in every dimension for implant placement, in locating the nerve canal when placing implants or extracting teeth, and in evaluating the extent of periodontal disease. It also aids in determining the exact number of root canals in a tooth before starting endodontic (root canal) treatment. These scans can also allow the dentist to diagnose root fractures which before were typically only diagnosed based on the patient’s symptoms. In addition, the scan can help with diagnosing temporomandibular joint disorders, evaluating the nasal cavity and sinuses, locating the origin of pain, and in many more areas of dentistry.

It is extremely rare that a general dentist office would have a 3-D scanner. Typically, they would only be found at some specialist offices and radiology clinics. But as you are aware, the entire team at Colorado Precision Dentistry wants the absolute best for our patients, and we are pleased to be able to offer these 3-D scans for our patients when the need arises.