What is a Cone Beam CT?
A Cone Beam CT (CBCT) is a specialized x-ray machine that helps us get a 3-Dimensional (3D) image of the teeth or jaws. We can see hard and soft tissues in a CBCT.
What do we use it for at Power Dental?
We use CBCT when we need to see what structures are present and how much of each. For instance, the commonest reasons for us taking a CBCT are:
- Planning Implant placement - seeing how much bone is present and at what angle we can place the implant
- Wisdom tooth planning - seeing how close the roots of the lower wisdom teeth are to the Inferior Dental Nerve and the upper wisdom teeth to the sinuses.
- Locating and visualizing other impacted teeth to see if we can bring them down orthodontically (with braces) or remove them.
- Trying to determine the position of root canals or cracks in teeth
What are the advantages of CBCT?
CBCT allows us to see things 3-dimensionally. With traditional 2-dimensional x-rays we cannot see the depth of objects - teeth, bone, swellings, etc.
So, on a traditional x-ray it may appear that we do not have enough bone to place a dental implant, for instance - it looks that there is not enough bone height. However, with a 3-D view we can see that if we tilt the implant one way or another it can stay safely within the bone. We send the CBCT image and a scan of your mouth to our dental lab here in Sydney and they plan the position for us and make a surgical guide so we can put it in just the right place. The success rate of dental implants and number we can place has increased since we have used this technique.
Likewise, on a regular x-ray we may see that the roots of a wisdom teeth are near to the dental nerve, but cannot tell how close. The 3-D view shows us just how much room there is and what way to remove the tooth. If it looks too close we may refer you to an oral surgeon or suggest we leave the end of the root in place so we don't damage the nerve by trying to remove it. The safety has improved since we have been taking CBCTs for wisdom teeth removal.
We can also send the CBCT to other specialists to help in the planning or get their opinion, such as Oral Surgeons, Periodontists (gum specialists), Endodontists (Root Canal specialists) or Orthodontists. This speeds up communication and treatment time, as well a making planning easier for the dentist.
What does a 2D x-ray of the jaws look like?
What does a CBCT look like?
How long have you been using CBCT at Power Dental?
We installed our CBCT machine in 2019.
How much radiation in a CBCT?
Compared to a similar 2-dimensional x-ray of the same area of the mouth, CBCT uses several times more x-rays. So, we do not use them unless we need to. However, they provide us with unique information we cannot get in any other way.
How long does it take to have a CBCT?
Taking a CBCT takes under a minute. The dentist may take a while to look at the image and do any measurements required. This may be finished at the appointment, or may need a bit longer to complete.
Any other questions?
Just ask your dental practitioner at your next appointment.