Cone Beam CT

Cone beam computed tomography or cone beam CT is a technique used in obtaining images, using computed tomography with the use of an X-ray beam in the shape of a cone. The use of the CBCT scan is essential in the planning and diagnostic stages of implant dentistry, and is also increasingly being utilised in orthodontics and endodontics as well. Cone beam CT scan images can deliver images that conventional 2D images will not be able to produce, making it easier to properly plan a highly successful and safe dental implant treatment from the earliest stages.

A CBCT scanner provides high-resolution images that offer three-dimensional views of the patient’s oral anatomy – including clear images of the teeth (those located above the gum line and even the teeth that did not erupt from below the gum line), the sinus cavities, and the surrounding jawbone structure. The high accuracy of these images helps in the formulation of a treatment plan for dental implants to be placed, and is also instrumental in detecting existing problems that need to be dealt with before the implant placement.

Cone beam CT assists in determining a patient’s suitability for an implant treatment as the images obtained will give a clear idea on the quality of the patient’s jawbone. A clear image of the jawbone quality will in turn determine if a bone graft (or another advanced technique) will be necessary prior to the placement of the implants. CBCT also helps the implant dentist in seeing the precise location where the implants need to be placed - significantly increasing the accuracy, safety, and success of the implant treatment. The highly accurate 3D images also create a clear view into the patient’s sinus area, to determine if a sinus lift procedure is necessary prior to the placement of the dental implants.

A cone beam CT scanner gets the high-precision images without the need to place the patient in a tunnel-like chamber, which can lead to an uncomfortable experience. The CBCT scanner gets the images while the patient is comfortably sitting on the dental chair, in an upright position. Scanning time using the cone beam CT scanner is much shorter when compared to regular CT scanning, which translates to increased patient comfort and quicker results. In addition, the radiation dosage used in cone beam computer tomography scans is much lower compared to that used by a regular CT scan, reducing the patient’s exposure to radiation.

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