CBCT Scans At Our Canterbury Practice

How 3D imaging can help in various aspects of dental care.

When we think about having an X-ray at the dentist, we probably imagine a fairly simple black-and-white image of a tooth, including the roots below the gum line. This technology has been around for some time now and still plays an important role in modern dental care.

While revolutionary in its time, x-rays don’t always give a full picture and especially in more complex situations. This is where a CBCT scan really comes into its own. The good news for patients of the Bradley and Partners Dental and Implant Clinic is that we have one, right here, at our practice.

What is a CBCT scan?

CBCT stands for Cone Beam Computed Tomography. It is an imaging technique that creates a three-dimensional picture of the teeth, jaw and the surrounding structures. Not every patient will need to have this of course. In fact, there is little point in carrying out a more detailed scan unless the additional information is going to help with diagnosis or treatment planning. When it is appropriate, though, it can give our dentists a much clearer picture of what is happening beneath the surface.

How does it work?

A CBCT scanner uses X-rays to produce a series of images from different angles. These are then combined to create a 3D view. Unlike a normal dental X-ray, which produces a flat image, the dentist can examine the area from different directions. This can be especially useful when the teeth, roots, nerves and bone all need to be considered together, rather than as a stand-alone issue. The scan itself is generally quite straightforward. You will usually be asked to sit and remain still while the scanner rotates around your head. The process is relatively quick and should cause no discomfort at all.

Who might need one?

There are a number of situations where a CBCT scan may potentially be recommended and dental implants are a good example. Before placing a tooth implant, the dentist needs to know about the amount and shape of the bone available to place the implant into. It is also important to know where structures such as nerves and the sinus are located. A conventional X-ray can provide useful information, but a three-dimensional image can show the area in considerably more detail and help with the planning of the procedure and determine whether additional treatments like a bone graft or sinus lift might be needed.

Root canal treatment

CBCT imaging can sometimes be useful when a tooth is being considered for root canal treatment, particularly when the situation is complicated. Teeth don’t all have the same root structure so it is important to understand the root canals of the tooth in question. While x-rays can be used, they produce a flat image and don’t always provide sufficient information for the dentist. Using a CBCT scan can help the dentist examine the roots and surrounding bone from different angles and in more detail. This can help to identify an unusual root canal, a previously missed canal or changes around the end of a tooth root.

Wisdom teeth and nerves

Wisdom teeth are another situation where 3D imaging can sometimes be helpful. An impacted wisdom tooth may be close to an important nerve running through the jaw. Before deciding how best to deal with it, it can be useful to understand exactly how the roots relate to the nerve. This can help the dentist or oral surgeon assess the risks and decide on the most appropriate approach. Again, the scan is not always needed when a patient has an impacted wisdom tooth. It is used when the additional information it would provide is considered worthwhile.

Planning more complex dental treatment

3D imaging can also be useful when several aspects of dental treatment need to be considered together. An example of this might be when a tooth is in an unusual position, there may be questions about its roots, the surrounding bone and its relationship with neighbouring teeth. A CBCT scan can also help the dentist explain the situation to you. Looking at an image of your own teeth and jaw from different angles can sometimes make a complicated problem much easier for the patient to understand both the problem and the modern dental solutions being offered.

Is a CBCT scan safe?

While a small amount of radiation is used in these scans, they are carried out using relatively low radiation doses. Like x-rays though, they should not be carried out for no good reason and is why it is used only where there is good reason to do so. Scans can be booked at our Canterbury dental clinic through the form for CBCT (3D imaging scans) referrals on our website. Your dentist will need to complete this form if you are not a patient here. It requires complex knowledge so please don’t attempt to complete it yourself.

If you have been referred to us for a scan and would like any additional information beforehand, or if you feel that you would like to become a patient here and take advantage of this and other modern treatment technologies that we offer, you can call the Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic on 01227 463529.