With modern advancements in technology, more and more dental clinics are making the transition to 3D x-rays. How does this type of imaging work? What benefits does it have, and what distinguishes it from more conventional techniques?
The maxillofacial experts at Clinique Evoro answer these questions and more in this article!
A major technological breakthrough
3D dental imaging, also called cone beam volumetric tomography, is a CT technique that provides a 3-dimensional view of dental and facial anatomy.
Dentists use 3D dental x-rays to obtain a more detailed representation of the teeth and surrounding structures to supplement their visual examinations. This medical imaging technique has proven to be very useful in the following situations:
- Finding impacted teeth and examining their placement in the mouth.
- Determining bone quality and volume in order to plan dental implant placement.
- Obtaining exact measurements of the jaws of patients who require dentures, bridges or dental crowns.
- Planning a tooth extraction. 3D dental x-rays are often done before wisdom teeth removal to minimize the risk of complications during the operation.
- Planning orthognathic surgery to improve jaw alignment.
- Identifying and examining dental cysts, lesions, fractures and structures.
The accuracy of 3D dental imaging significantly improves oral health professionals’ ability to diagnose and treat patients.
How do 3D dental x-rays work?
3D dental x-rays are the latest technology available in medical imaging. The cone beam offers a level of precision that surpasses all other current techniques.
During the imaging, an electronic arm equipped with a sensor rotates 200 degrees around the patient’s head in just a few seconds, taking almost 600 images. The images are then compiled and processed by modelling software to produce a complete picture of the teeth.
With this kind of imaging, oral health professionals can obtain a detailed 3D replica of their patients’ entire maxillofacial structure, including teeth, bones, sinuses, blood vessels and nerves.
The benefits of 3D dental x-rays
The advent of 3D dental imaging has made a real difference for maxillofacial surgeons. The ability to view the dental anatomy on 3 axes gives oral health specialists several advantages:
Access to more information
With the ability to examine the treatment area from all angles, health professionals can get a better understanding of essential elements such as bone density, anatomy and the position of the nerves and teeth. Furthermore, 3D x-rays can be used to detect and diagnose pathologies that would be undetectable on a 2D x-ray.
The ability to anticipate and plan for better care
3D dental x-rays also make more detailed treatment planning possible. With 3D imaging, operations such as orthognathic surgery and facial reconstruction surgery can be planned virtually in advance. Maxillofacial surgeons often use the technology for dental implant placement.
3D dental imaging: Available at Clinique Evoro
3D x-rays are a new type of dental imaging technology that is gaining more and more traction in the industry. They provide oral health specialists with a more accurate view of the teeth and jaw, facilitating diagnosis and treatment planning. If you’re looking for a dental specialist in the Gatineau region that has access to this technology, contact Clinique Evoro. As the most modern maxillofacial clinic in Outaouais, everything we do is designed to provide the highest-quality care with the least amount of pain.