Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)
Tulsa, OK
Your mouth has several components that work together that allow it to perform some essential daily functions. When oral health issues arise, these components can be affected, which then affects the functions of your mouth and your quality of life. To provide you with the best oral care possible, we need to have a complete picture of everything going on in your mouth. At Smiles of Tulsa, we can achieve this goal, allowing us to provide you with the treatment you need with CBCT.
What is CBCT?
Cone beam computed tomography, or CBCT is a type of 3D x-ray technology. This particular technology uses a cone-shaped x-ray beam that rotates a full 360 degrees around your head. As the beam moves, it captures a series of images, typically between 150 and 600. The images are then placed together to formulate a single 3-dimensional image that displays almost immediately on our computer monitor. The technology for CBCT is similar to the technology to digital x-ray technology while the images that are produced are more similar to those produced by a CT scan.
Accurate Diagnoses for Oral Health Issues
Once your scan is complete, and the image is displayed on the computer monitor, we are then able to use specialized software to manipulate your scan in some different ways. We can rotate the image around in a variety of ways, which allows us to see the structures in your mouth in some different ways. We zoom in on specific areas of your scan and enhance the image for better clarity, allowing us to see the smallest details of your mouth. We can also change the coloration of the image for a better view. We can provide a much more accurate diagnosis for issues such as:
Formulating Effective Treatment Plans
In addition to being able to diagnose some different issues with your mouth, CBCT technology also enables us to formulate effective treatment plans that provide you with the best possible results. With CBCT, we can:
| • |
See the positioning of your teeth and your jawbone.
|
| • |
Plan the best placement positions for your dental implants.
|
| • |
Locate nerve passageways, allowing us to avoid them during treatment.
|
| • |
Determining the need for a bone graft for dental implants.
|
| • |
Assess the condition of your sinus cavities, allowing us to determine the need for a sinus lift.
|
| • |
Plan treatment for TMD.
|
| • |
Ensure complete tumor removal from your jaw. |
CBCT Process
Getting a CBCT scan is a very quick, simple process. Before actually receiving your scan, you will first be instructed to remove any jewelry, piercings, and metal hair accessories. If you wear hearing aids or glasses, these will need to be removed as well. When you are ready, we will have you sit at the machine and place your chin on the rest. From there, we will make any necessary adjustments and take your scan.
The time it takes to complete your scan is less than a minute, and it is completely painless. However, it is essential that you remain completely still. It only takes an additional few seconds for the completed 3D image to appear on the computer monitor.
Benefits of CBCT
CBCT technology provides several significant advantages. These include:
| • |
Quick, simple, and painless.
|
| • |
High-quality 3D images of the structures of your mouth.
|
| • |
The ability to see your mouth from multiple angles.
|
| • |
Less radiation exposure than with traditional CT scans. |
CBCT technology allows us to provide you with an accurate diagnosis, which then helps us to formulate the most effective treatment plan possible. Call Smiles of Tulsa at (918) 891-3059 today and our team will help you. |
Waze
