Cone Beam 3D Imaging Technology: A Pivotal Tool in Diagnosis and Treatment

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Consultants has some of the most current and state-of-the-art cone beam 3-D dental imaging systems available. This type of technology provides high-definition, three-dimensional, digital imaging at a reduced cost and significantly less radiation than traditional medical CT scans. The images can be taken right in the office, removing the burdensome task of visiting a radiology center to have a CT scan obtained. This saves the patient time, money, and delays in treatment.

The technology’s 3-D, volumetric imaging system provides a complete view of all oral and maxillofacial structures, providing thorough diagnostic information possible. Our surgeons are able to more accurately diagnose and predictably treat patients than with conventional two-dimensional imaging. All aspects of the facial skeleton can be evaluated with high accuracy. Measurements are all one-to-one, with no magnification error.

Patients can view their CT scan right along-side their surgeon, allowing patients to better understand their anatomy.  This helps patients better understand their diagnosis, treatment plan, and expected outcome.  

OPTIMIZING PATIENT CARE:

Our surgeons believe that all patients deserve a high standard of care and this technology helps us meet that goal. Drs. Haas, Stich, Kurtzman, Pearson, Sundick, Neuner, McMahon, Spanel, Omlie and Ziegler use cone beam 3D imaging to determine precise tooth position and the proximity of other vital structures, such as adjacent teeth, adjacent nerves, and other bony structures to ensure treatment is safe, accurate and effective.

Common Oral Surgery Procedures using 3D Imaging:

Impacted Teeth/Impacted Canine Teeth:

Three-dimensional cone beam imaging provides more surgical certainty when treating impacted teeth than when diagnosed with two-dimensional periapical or panoramic radiographs. The precise location of an impacted tooth and its exact relationship to the inferior alveolar nerve, maxillary sinus, or nasal cavity can be identified. This allows our surgeons to better explain the treatment and potential risks to each patient. Visualizing the anatomy more accurately reduces surgery and anesthesia time, which translates into a more safe, effective, and efficient surgery, leading to lessened discomfort and improved healing.

Implant Treatment planning and Implant Placement:

Three-dimensional cone beam imaging provides surgeons and patients with the best information available to develop a treatment plan for implant placement.  It is an extremely diagnostic study tool for implant treatment planning in both the maxilla and mandible.  

Vital structures and bone anatomy can be identified at the desired implant locations and measured with accurate, distortion-free images.  Opposing teeth are visualized as well, which provides for better implant placement and overall prosthetic outcomes.

Orthognathic (jaw surgery) Treatment planning:

Three-dimensional cone beam imaging can provide a complete view of all oral and maxillofacial structures. This information can then be used to complete virtual surgical planning prior to orthognathic surgical procedure.  By using virtual surgical planning, a surgeon can accurately visualize structures and assess proposed treatments prior to the actual surgery.  This technology can help reduce surgery time and anesthesia time, which translates into a more safe, effective, and efficient surgery, leading to lessened discomfort and improved healing.

Other applications in dentistry: 

Three-dimensional cone beam imaging technology has applications for every dental specialty, including:

  • Orthodontics
  • Pathology
  • Trauma
  • Congenital defects
  • Endodontics
  • Temporomandibular joint study