Our office performs 99% of our dental implant procedures with the aid of 3D CBCT dental imaging technology. We’re one of only a few dental offices in the Edmond area to use CBCT scanning, and we were one of the very first to use it to perform a “full arch” procedure. This means CBCT helped us place four implants at once, a procedure that would have been very challenging to achieve optimal results had we been limited to the “free hand” method of administering dental implants.
Our ability to offer you this technology brings with it a host of benefits, including far better surgical outcomes. That’s why we wanted to take a moment to help you understand 3D CBCT imaging so that you can make an informed decision about whether our practice is right for you.
What is CBCT?
CBCT stands for “cone beam CT scan.” It combines a 3D mouth scanner with state-of-the-art translation software to generate a 3D image of your mouth. CBCT is a little bit like a traditional CT scan in that regard, but it protects your health by minimizing the amount of radiation you’re exposed to by 70%. Since too much radiation exposure can have side effects our goal is to reduce yours to levels that are “as low as reasonably achievable” without sacrificing the benefits of generating these highly precise images of your jaw bone and mouth structure.
A CBCT image is more than a mere picture. It serves as a computerized model of your mouth’s health. We can zoom in on areas of interest, twist and turn the image to get different views of the mouth structure, and gather up precise bone measurements. We can also share this information with every dentist and consulting specialist who is working on the case—and we can share it with you, too, so that you’ll be informed about the state of your own oral health.
Like having an X-ray, having a cone beam CT scan is completely painless. You simply sit down and the cone beam takes the scan. Here is a picture of a patient having a scan completed.
What Can 3D Scans Show that 2D Images Can’t?
The CBCT scan provides us with a wealth of information that helps us do a better job of offering top-notch dental implants. Primarily, it tells us a great deal about the state of your bone at the site of the implant, including:
- Precise bone dimension measurements.
- Insight into the quality of the bone.
- The existence of any abnormalities which might impact the dental implant procedure.
- The placement of blood vessels and nerves.
- The exact shape of the site where the implant will be placed.
This vital information takes the guesswork out of placing dental implants, which means the osseointegration process is far more likely to be successful. This scan also tells us if the patient needs other procedures before we proceed, such as bone grafts or healing caps that must be used when the bone is either too soft or too degraded to take the implant with ease.
Here’s an example of a 2D image:
And here’s an example of a 3D image from a CBCT:
What Can Happen if Dentists Rely on a 2D Image?
Using 2D images increases the likelihood of complications, placement problems, and other cosmetic issues. 3D images give a more complete picture to minimize complications and to ensure success.
What are the Benefits of CBCT Technology?
There are four major benefits to choosing a dental implant specialist who is equipped to offer CBCT scans.
First, your dental implant procedure will be less invasive because your specialist will have a complete picture of your mouth, which means it is far easier to place the implant. This means you get to enjoy a more rapid recovery. There’s less downtime and less pain to contend with.
There is also less risk. Any implant procedure places a dentist in the position of having to drill near blood vessels, nerves, and sinuses. Our task is to make sure we avoid these structures whenever possible. CBCT technology gives us the information we need to do just that.
You also spend less time under anesthesia. We can move a little faster because we know exactly where we’re going in your mouth.
You also get results that last longer and appear more natural. With CBCT technology, the implants can be placed in a way that makes them the next best thing to keeping your very own teeth.
These benefits are the reasons why CBCT technology is considered to be the new standard of care for dental implants. The “free hand” method just won’t cut it anymore.
We are a Patient-Centered, Results-Oriented Practice
At Revitalize Implants we have streamlined our process to include CBCT scans. After we take your scan we work with some of the best dental labs in the country in order to provide our patients with a higher standard of care.
Call us today to make an appointment. The CBCT process is painless and the entire appointment takes less than an hour to complete. We’re looking forward to seeing you and to helping you achieve your best, brightest, prettiest and healthiest smile.
