3-D is all the rage these days in movie theaters and other entertainment venues. But did you know that this advanced imaging technology is also giving a dentist in Vintage Park exciting new tools for treating patients? Now dental implants, extractions, root canals, bone grafts and other procedures can be performed with a level of precision and comfort impossible just a few years ago.

Not Your Parent’s X-Ray Machine

X-rays revolutionized the world of medicine when they were first discovered in 1895. Dentists began widespread use of x-ray machines in the 1950s. The technology is still used in almost every medical and dental clinic in the Western world. Millions of people across the globe have enjoyed better care as a result.

Nonetheless, traditional x-ray machines have one serious limitation. They can only form 2-D images of the patient’s teeth and bones. Modern CT cone beam scanning devices overcome this problem by sending imaging signals in a fan or cone-shaped pattern through the area to be scanned. The advantages of this approach are substantial. They include:

• The ability to measure not only bone shape and condition but also thickness. This is a crucial factor which dentists must consider when designing crowns, implants and bridges. Cone beam scanning also allows the dentist to judge the condition of the patient’s soft tissues.
• Patient comfort. The person receiving the scan need only relax while the test is being performed. He or she may sit or stand, depending on their preference. There is no pain or discomfort.
• Cone beam scanning uses only a minuscule amount of x-rays. The process takes less than a minute and results are obtained within 10 to 15 minutes.
• Patient empowerment. A 3-D image is easier for most dental patients to understand, helping them to be a more active and informed part of their healthcare process.

Preparing for Your Cone Beam Scan

The cone beam scanning process is very similar to traditional x-rays. You should remove all jewelry and other metal accessories, including earrings, dentures, glasses, hearing devices, and metal hairpins or bows. As with any medical scan, women who are or think they may be pregnant should alert the dentist or scanning technician ahead of time.

Healthcare experts expect cone beam scanners to replace older x-ray machines in the years to come. For now, however, only a limited number of dentistry offices have access to these devices. You may want to ask your dentist if his or her office has made this helpful upgrade.

Dental technology is progressing all the time. New tools and techniques are making care quicker, more comfortable and more effective. This is good news for all of us.

If it has been a while since you last saw your dentist, then there’s no time like the present to make an appointment. Regular cleanings and checkups are essential to enjoying lifelong dental health. The effort you put forth today will give you plenty of reason to smile in the months and years to come.

About the Author

Dr. Derek Castleberry earned his dental degree from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. He spent several years serving Navy and Marine Corps personnel as a military dentist before setting up his own practice. You can reach his office online or by calling (281) 320-9600.

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