What is 3D CBCT? A guide to advanced diagnostics; what it means for your lasting health
The Strongsville Smile Keepers team has a powerful ally when it comes to keeping the smiles of patients in northern Ohio healthy and appealing: technology! Our dentist, Dr. Matt Gaebelein, has carefully selected the latest, safest, and most remarkable diagnostic technologies. Systems such as 3D cone beam computed tomography (CT) facilitate comfortable scans of the tissues and structures of the mouth, face, jaws, and neck.
In addition to a fast and easy process and experience for the patient, advanced diagnostics that are an improvement of earlier-generation imaging produce a large volume of very clear and detailed images of even the smallest oral structures and areas. There is power in diagnostics, as the accuracy of our findings from diagnostic tools like CBCT scans drives treatment that is both effective and efficient at resolving pain and other symptoms in the short term and promoting a healthier mouth and “self” over the longer term.
Our in-house CBCT scan capabilities differ from conventional CT scanning available at other offices. Unlike earlier-generation systems, our machine features an arm. You simply relax as the arm rotates around you a full 360 degrees. As this rotating camera passes by, it captures a considerable number of high-quality images. These images are captured from varied angles using a true to the technology’s name, a “cone-shaped” x-ray beam. We are able to then quickly view pictures of the oral cavity, as well as the ears, nose, throat, and other areas. These images may be shared and viewed with you to enhance our understanding of the underlying condition that may be responsible for damage or concerning symptoms. This characteristic also enhances our ability to communicate and aids us with the information necessary to make well-informed decisions about treatment options.
Our patients also appreciate that so much information can be rendered from a single scan in just 20 to 40 seconds. Smaller “regional” scans take just 10 seconds! The myriad images acquired via this scan are then “stitched” together into a 3-dimensional image of your mouth. 3D CBCT scanning, in turn, is both a workhorse and a powerhouse; its versatile uses include the following:
- Support orthodontic treatment plans
- Aid in diagnosing TMJ symptoms, disorders
- Detect cavities and other forms of decay that may necessitate root canal therapy
- Support planning of surgical procedures, from placement of implants to removal of impacted wisdom teeth
- Promote early detection of abnormalities not limited to tumors
- Assess bone density, volume, quality, and tooth orientation
Experience the strength of both our high-caliber team and high-performance dental technologies firsthand—call (440) 508-4080 to schedule your visit at our office in Strongsville, OH.