Cone Beam CT Imaging

Medical professionals recognized the importance of X-rays as diagnostic instruments in the early twentieth century, not long after they were discovered. They could clearly reveal structures concealed within the body without the need for a dangerous surgery. Groundbreaking new technology has reached the diagnostic arena at the dawn of the twenty-first century. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has the potential to revolutionize the way many dental conditions are diagnosed and treated today.

Burnaby Square Dental is equipped with cutting-edge technology such as CBCT and Anesthesia Wand to help detect patients’ conditions and treat them painlessly.

Dental Cone Beam Computed Tomography or Cone-beam CT imaging is a particular type of x-ray equipment used by dentists if conventional dental or facial x-rays are not enough. Cone Beam CT shares several characteristics with traditional X-rays and regular CT scans performed in a hospital environment. However, in terms of infrastructure and diagnostic accuracy, it is a huge step forward. It allows dentists to see complex structures inside the mouth in three dimensions: nerves, root canals, and sinuses (air-filled spaces) in the jaw, without performing surgery. It may reduce the need for invasive procedures, shorten recovery time, and improve the patient’s likelihood of a positive outcome.

X-rays are a form of energy on the electromagnetic spectrum, similar to visible light. X-rays can create an image in the same way as light does on photographic film (or a digital camera sensor). The difference is that energetic X-rays will penetrate bone and soft tissue, revealing its concealed structure by varying degrees of absorption; in other words, they create a grayscale image of what’s under the surface. On the other hand, traditional X-rays are constrained because, like a still-life painting, they only show one viewpoint on the scene.

Now imagine a “flip book” — a small book made up of a series of pictures, each slightly different. When you rapidly flip through it, you may see (for example) an animated cartoon or a still subject from different perspectives. You could make an “animation” of the X-rays by putting together a flipbook created from a collection of X-ray “slices” of the same problem taken at slightly different angles. After that, it’s only one more step to build a 3-D model.

CBCT scanners do just that, recording between 150 and 600 separate X-ray views in under a minute using a revolving imaging system that passes around the patient’s head. The data is then processed by a powerful computer, which generates a virtual image of the region under investigation. When done, the model appears on a computer screen as a three-dimensional image: It can be rotated from each side or up and down, studied in greater or lesser detail, and manipulated in various ways without causing any distress to the patient or even requiring their presence.

Provides Information

Cone beam CT imaging can give more detailed information that regular dental x-rays cannot provide, thus allowing better treatment plans.

Efficiency

With its concentrated x-ray beams, cone beam CT scans have less scattered radiation for an improved image. In just a single scan, there are different angles and views provided for a comprehensive evaluation.

Lower Doses of Radiation

Cone beam imaging is an excellent replacement for regular CT scans. Although CT scans have been used for its safety and effectiveness, it still emits a comparatively high radiation dosage. A conventional CT scan exposes patients to roughly 400-1000 µSv (microsieverts).

Unlike CT scans, cone beam scans have a less scattered x-ray that focuses only on the head. It allows a better imaging result to expose the patient to significantly lower radiation — about 50-200 µSv, roughly 75% lower than regular CT scans.

Scan Different Parts of the Face

A CT scan can only scan the entire head without focusing on specific areas that the dentist may need more details. Even if they only need to scan a particular part, they still need to scan the whole head.

CBCT imaging provides accurate and detailed scans of the facial anatomy and can provide scans of specific areas. It allows our dentist to provide better diagnosis and treatment plans for each patient that requires it.

Faster Scan Times

CT scans take about 15-30 minutes to finish, ending in longer waiting times for other patients and slowing down other services. On the other hand, CBCT scans only take 10-30 seconds, which shortens overall waiting time and the scanning itself.

Better Image Quality

Cone beam CT imaging can provide detailed scans of your jaw bones, soft tissue, and teeth, all in a single scan. They also result in better quality images compared to regular CT scans.

CBCT scans also have multiple filtering and correction algorithms to help the dentist remove any scans’ interference. Overall, this results in a refined and well-detailed diagnostic image.