Why Is the CBCT Scan Better Than a Dental X-Ray?

The latest technology in dentistry is making available digital dentistry to dentists to take digital dental images of patient’s mouths instead of depending on traditional x-rays. If you had a dental x-ray at your dentist’s office earlier, you might recollect seeing your teeth against a black background. However, if you visit your dentist now, you may be recommended to undergo a cone beam CT scan, referred to as a CBCT scan.

The recommendation of your dentist may send you searching for a dental office that can provide a CBCT scan near you. You may even wonder why your dentist recommends this scan rather than using the traditional x-ray. Let us give you the reasons why dentists are preferring to use new dental technology and digital dentistry when providing dental treatments.

Different Types of X-Rays

The traditional x-ray was the gold standard in dentist’s offices throughout the country until dental technology innovated to move on. Presently dentists have a wide range of imaging machines that they can use.

The standard used earlier was intraoral x-rays and panoramic x-rays. However, extraoral x-rays are the new dental technology for detecting issues with the TMJ and airway problems in the throat and jaw. If you are affected by TMJ disorders or any other issues undetectable by traditional x-rays, your dentist recommends a CBCT scan dental to identify the problems affecting you.

How is CBCT Different from CT Scans?

Cone Beam CT and dental CT are different types of x-rays to create 3D images of your mouth. The radiation exposure from CBCT is reduced dramatically compared to medical CT. These x-rays are superior to intraoral panoramic x-rays because they help your dentist to determine the following:

• A dentist can provide accurate measurements of your jaw, including the shape and dimensions. The measurements are useful for dental implant surgery and to measure any oral appliances.
• CBCT scans help dentists to detect lesions indicating severe diseases.
• Diagnosing airway sleep disorders is another benefit of CBCT scans.
• Identifying precise locations of infections in your tooth is often challenging. However, CBCT scans have eased the procedure.
• CBCT scan dental can evaluate your sinuses, nerve canal, and nasal cavity.

Dental CT is outdated technology invented in the early 70s. Dental CT uses fan-shaped x-ray beams that move around the patient as they advance in the machine. It was only in the 90s that dental cone beam CT was invented, and this technique relies on light intensifier technology. CBCT is a cone-shaped detector of the area, meaning that patients can remain static while the sensor moves around them.

The benefit of CBCT is that the machine is compact and can be included in most dental practices, as can be seen in the CBCT scan in Salt Lake City, UT 84123. The device is more convenient than asking patients to visit a separate imaging Center. CBCT machines expose patients to a lower dose of radiation, making the process much quicker than traditional machines.

What Can Dental CBCT Scans Help to Diagnose?

As CBCT scans allow your dentist an in-depth view of your teeth, gums, jaw, nerves, and sinuses, it helps to detect and diagnose many other infections. The infections and complications that can be seen and interpreted by a CBCT scan include:

• Sleep-related disorders of the airway like sleep apnea.
• Temporomandibular joint disorders.
• Fractures.
• Tooth root infections, root canals, and other problems at the center of the tooth.
• Tumors, cysts, and bone cancer.
• Issues with the gums.
• Nasal anatomy, including septum, sinuses, and Turbinates.

CBCT scans enable dentists to quickly and efficiently diagnose conditions affecting your jaw, gums, and breathing. The earlier you get diagnosed by a dentist, the faster the dental professional can develop the course of action for the condition affecting you.

If you are recommended a CBCT scan by your dentist to identify any conditions, there is no need for you to be concerned about the process. Preparing for the CBCT scan a straightforward and will not keep you in the chair for long. You do not require any medicines or need recovery time after the process. Pregnant women must inform the dentist before proceeding for the procedure despite there being no significant risks involved.

If you are wearing dentures, they must be removed from your mouth before a CBCT scan. These issues must not concern you because they are a stepping stone to identify severe conditions that could be bothering you.