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3D Cone Beam

 

3D Cone Beam X-ray (CBCT)

A CBCT scan (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) – also known as a conebeam scan - produces a crystal-clear 3D image of the teeth, jaw, sinuses, and surrounding structures to allow thorough examination of the oral environment for issues not always detectable on traditional two-dimensional dental x-rays.  While the full mouth series and bitewing (check-up) x-rays excel at detecting decay and incipiencies (small starting cavities), the 3D CBCT scan is superior for diagnosing bone infections and evaluating bone density.    

  

VATECH Green CT Machine

Meetinghouse Dental Care's low exposure 3D imaging by our Vatech Green CT machine produces highly diagnostic CBCT scans with very low radiation:

(15µSv to 110µSv) compared to a traditional medical CT (2,000µSv – 5,000µSv).

The VATECH Green CT produces both digital 2D panoramic and 3D CBCT x-rays.   

Many patients have experienced sensitivity or neuralgia or biting pressure and pain for which dentist after dentist was unable to locate the cause. Taking a digital single tooth periapical (PA) x-ray is the standard of care for diagnosing a dental issue, and it is the starting point we recommend as well. If the PA shows nothing and the patient states that something just doesn’t feel right, our dental CT scan gives us that next level of diagnostic capability. The cone beam X-ray produces a three-dimensional image of teeth when the traditional two-dimensional x-ray just isn't enough.

 2D Panoramic Film

  

3D CBCT Scan

CBCT Scan Benefits

A patient may experience sensitivity or neuralgia for which the dentist cannot identify root cause. Taking a digital single tooth x-ray, which is standard of care, often results in an image that appears clinically stable.  The CBCT scan gives our dentists another level of diagnostic capability that can allow us to identify hidden issues. Our doctors can evaluate a scan for abscessed teeth, re-infected root canals, areas of chronically unhealed bone or demineralized bone, sinus issues, TMJ complications, airway compromise, and more.  We create a detailed report that provides contextual background information, explains our findings, and provides summaries and recommendations for each issue.

Meetinghouse Dental Care dentists have found the root cause of many patients’ symptoms with the 3D X-ray and have offered definitive treatment plans to solve the problems!

The 3D cone beam scan drastically increases our diagnostic capabilities for areas of possible infection.  

 

 

CBCT Reports (Partial and Full)

Meetinghouse Dental Care offers three different CBCT scans.  

A Single Tooth Scan ($75) is used to evaluate a specific area of the mouth. This scan is often used to examine an area of pain or to check the stability of a root canaled tooth before proceeding with a restoration.  (No report.)

A Scan to Assess Site for Implant Placement ($140) is used to evaluate bone density / healing in a specific area of extraction now targeted for ceramic implant placement.  The 3D software allows our dentist to select the size and shape of the ceramic implant and to seat it virtually in the scan in order to check angle and spacing.

A Full Scan and Evaluation ($400) is a larger field of view used to evaluate the entire mouth for possible issues. The written report provided is extensive and covers all discovered problems with explanations, pictures, and recommended solution options.  Full report scans are typically taken if we suspect multiple oral issues or if the full scan is requested by a healthcare provider who needs a complete breakdown of the patient's oral environment.

The price for the full scan and evaluation includes the cone beam scan full report written by Dr. Lou Trovato.

Implant evaluations are done by Dr. Matthew He.  

Our CBCT technician will demonstrate and answer patient questions about the 3D scan of the mouth in general terms, but any clinical observations will come directly from the dentist via the report.  Reports typically take the doctor about 3 weeks depending on the number of reports waiting to be drafted at any given time.  All reports are written in the order in which patients are scanned.

 

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The Full Report includes information on:

  • Abscessed teeth
  • Re-infected root canals
  • Areas of chronically unhealed bone
  • Bone density 
  • Sinus issues
  • TMJ analysis
  • Airway analysis
  • Oral galvanism
  • Etc.