Cone Beam CT Scan
Your mouth is made up of many different working parts. All of these parts work together to help you perform some different tasks, including biting, chewing, speaking, and more. There are many different issues that can affect your oral health and the functioning of your mouth. To determine the root cause of your issue, and determine the best treatment options, a thorough examination is needed. Part of your oral exam involves looking over the visible structures in your mouth. There are also many structures that cannot be seen. At ComfortCare Dental, we can take a closer look at the hidden structures in your mouth with a Cone Beam CT Scan (CBCT).
What is CBCT Scanning?
CBCT scanning is a type of 3D imaging that has greatly improved the diagnosis of, and treatment planning for, a variety of different dental issues. CBCT stands for cone beam computed tomography. The technology uses a cone-shaped X-ray beam to capture a 3D image of your face and mouth. The X-ray beam is designed to rotate a full circle around your head. As it moves, it captures a series of stills. The stills are then pieced together to create a singular 3-dimensional image.
How is a CBCT Scan Done?
The process for getting a CBCT scan is incredibly quick and simple. It is also completely painless. Before your scan, you will be instructed to remove anything metal. This includes necklaces, earrings, and facial piercings. You will need to remove hair accessories with metal pieces. If you wear glasses or hearing aids, these will also need to be removed.
When you are ready, you will be directed to sit at the machine and place your chin on the rest. As you sit there, we make the necessary adjustments to ensure the best image possible. Once the machine is positioned properly, the scan begins. It takes less than 60 seconds to complete from start to finish, and you will not feel anything.
Diagnosing the Cause of your Oral Health Issues
Formulating an Effective Treatment Plan
Almost immediately after the completion of your CBCT scan, the 3D image appears, right on our computer monitor. There, we can use special software that enables us to manipulate the scan in a variety of different ways. We can observe your mouth from numerous angles. We can also spot the smallest details in your mouth, which allows us to more accurately diagnose the issues affecting your mouth. With these images, we are then able to formulate a more accurate, more complete treatment plan to restore your oral health. With a CBCT scan, we can:
Diagnose impacted teeth and tooth infections.
Discover tumors in the jaw.
Diagnose TMJ disorder and its cause.
Evaluate tooth and jaw alignment.
Determine the optimal placement of dental implants.
Assess the condition of the sinus cavities.
What are the Benefits of a CBCT Scan?
CBCT scanning provides many significant benefits. These benefits include:
Fast scanning. The scan takes less than 60 seconds to complete.
Completely painless.
Producing high-quality 3D images of your mouth with exact one-to-one measurements.
Unique views of your mouth. Specialized software allows us to manipulate your scan to see your mouth in different ways.
Reduced radiation exposure.
A CBCT scan allows us to take a closer look at the invisible structures hidden within your mouth so that we can accurately diagnose your oral health issues and provide you with the best treatment possible. For more information on this incredible technology, call ComfortCare Dental today at our location in Oregon City, OR, or dental office in Milwaukie, OR.
