CBCT Imaging

Superior Quality & Maximum Patient Safety

Our goal is to provide you with the best, most accurate, and most thorough diagnosis possible. Recent technological breakthroughs have allowed us to make major advances in our ability to achieve that goal. CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography), also referred to as 3D, is a new technology similar to CAT scans in that it will give us a 360-degree three-dimensional view of the area we are examining.

Previously, we were limited to a two-dimensional picture of a three-dimensional problem. There were many things we could not see because dental X-rays did not have the resolution to show them. Despite our best efforts, we were forced to infer, project, surmise, calculate, and interpret. Often, we could only give our best educated guess based on what we could see on the X-ray. 

Additionally, X-rays were often just not sensitive enough to show very small or the beginning signs of problems. That has all changed significantly with the advent of CBCT. With its extremely high resolution and exceptionally low radiation, it has literally changed our world with respect to what we can now see. 

CBCT imaging offers a large volume of information and subtle details that simply cannot be provided by any two-dimensional X-ray, whether intraoral or panoramic. One 3D scan will allow us to examine the region of interest at a high resolution from many different perspectives. Clinical studies support this technology’s improved diagnostic capabilities. We are very proud of CBCT and feel strongly that this state-of-the-art technology will allow us to provide our patients with the very highest level of care possible today. 

Taking the image is very simple. The scan generally takes between 10 and 20 seconds and the images are transferred directly to a computer. A common question is the amount of radiation that is emitted in obtaining this type of image. In an effort to provide the best care and lowest radiation dose possible, we selected a unit by Morita. Their machines offer extremely low radiation doses. Below are a few comparisons for a typical 40 x 40 mm scan:

• Less than a medical chest X-ray
• Less than two standard panoramic X-rays
• Less than the amount of radiation absorbed during a flight from Los Angeles to New York (cosmic radiation)

We look forward to providing you with exceptional care utilizing the most current and advanced technology available in dentistry.