DENTAL TECHNOLOGY
DR. PAUL OUELLETTE has been using the high-tech Kodak FFOV 9500 CT scanner since October 2009 in his Indian Riverfont office in Merritt Island, Florida.
As most dentists and dental specialists have learned in recent years, dentistry is not entirely about filling cavities. In the last five years the dental field has been experiencing a profound “Sea Change.”
VIEWING A PATIENT’S anatomy in 3D gives dentists real “Superhero Powers” of perception, and diagnosis that would not be possible using standard two-dimensional digital images. With this technology, implants and crowns can be placed with more ease and accuracy.
The introduction of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) technology in dentistry is rapidly changing the diagnostic landscape, allowing dentists to now diagnose in three dimensions.
The advent of digital 2D X-rays was also a significant technological advance and is used by the majority of dentists in practice today.
Now, 3D CBCT technology has put dental diagnostics on “steroids.” Some dentists are hesitant to embrace Cone Bean Computed Tomography, but this is rapidly changing. The hesitancy may just be a fear of its hefty, but necessary price tag, or merely a fear of the unknown.
New technology is often intimidating, because of the need to learn new skills. However, we hope to help educate our medical and dental colleagues in order to further expand the use of this technology.
We are early adopters of 3D technology and additional information can be found on our practice websites at www.3Ddentist.com and www.3Dorthocare.com.
3D Scans Yield Accurate Assessment
We have been using the Kodak FFOV 9500 CT scanner since October 2009, and have found one low dose, 24 second scan, yields an extremely accurate assessment of the patient’s bone quality and quantity as well as a more rounded understanding of associated anatomical relationships.
The radiation dose from a scan is much lower than what is used in hospital settings. Viewing a patient’s anatomy in 3D gives dentists real “Superhero Powers” of perception, and diagnosis that would not be possible using standard two-dimensional digital images.
With this technology, implants and crowns can be placed with more ease and accuracy. Impacted, hidden or missing teeth can be precisely located and ‘hopeless teeth’ can be saved by discovering untreated nerve canals. This power of perception can also help to identify bone and gum disease.
In addition, sleep disorders can be diagnosed that, prior to CBCT, could only be assessed with a full cranial hospital CAT scan. Ultimately, 3D CBCT will become the “Nirvana” of the future. Many colleagues of ours are installing 3D scanners and living the dream of a more perfect dental diagnosis and treatment plan.
Minimizes Discomfort
The use of CBCT makes taking diagnostic dental impressions an unnecessary, cumbersome task of the past. This minimizes the patient’s in-office work-up time, discomfort of dental impressions and the overall time it takes to formulate an accurate treatment plan.
Two dimensional X-rays, including procedures such as bite wings and panoramic images, must be performed multiple times on a patient to obtain “complete” views of the mouth, while CBCT could have not only obtained all the views available to the 2D machine, but could have also shown hidden anatomical problems in the third dimension.
When performing numerous 2D x-rays patients are exposed to radiation doses higher than that emitted from a single CBCT scan, which may only require one scan for the entirety of the treatment.
Teaching Mini-Residencies
As time and research has shown, 2D dental analysis is steadily becoming outdated. Yet surprisingly, no matter the scanner model or advances in software applications for CBCT machines, there will always be a way to manipulate and further develop images with programs such as Anatomage, Invivo 5 Medical Dental Software Suite.
In the hopes of expanding the use, appreciation and understanding of the practicality of 3D CBCT we have initiated a series of teaching mini-residencies.
Dental and medical experts from universities and private practice and board certified maxillofacial radiologists will unite under one roof to contribute knowledge of how Cone Beam Computed Tomography is changing the diagnostic landscape and paving new roads to more accurate dental diagnostics.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul L. Ouellette, DDS, MS, ABO, is a board certified orthodontist who has practiced for more than 35 years. He received his college education and Bachelor of Science degree at Texas A&M University. He studied dentistry at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois, where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery, Certificate of Orthodontic Specialty, and Masters Degree in Oral Biology. Dr. Ouellette has three Dental Specialist office locations in Brevard County, Florida, and can be reached at 800-76-SMILE, or log on to www.Dental Specialists.com.
Related posts:
