Fortunately, recent technological breakthroughs have allowed us to make major advances in our ability to achieve that goal. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) (“dental cone beam” or “cone beam”) is a new technology similar to CAT scans in that it will give us a 360 degree three-dimensional view of the area we are examining. Previously, we were limited by dental X-rays, even digital dental X-rays, to create a two-dimensional picture of a three-dimensional problem.
There were many things we couldn’t see because X-rays didn’t have the resolution to show them. Despite our best efforts, we were forced to infer, project, surmise, calculate, and interpret. Often, we could only give our best educated guess based on what we could see on the X-ray. Additionally, X-rays were usually not sensitive enough to show very small or detect the early onset of problems.
That has all changed significantly with the advent of the dental cone beam technology. With its extremely high resolution and exceptionally low radiation, it has literally changed our world with respect to what we can now see.
Cone Beam 3D imaging offers a large volume of information and subtle details that simply cannot be obtained by any two dimensional X-ray, whether intraoral or panoramic. One 3D scan will allow us to examine the region of interest at a high resolution from many different perspectives. Clinical studies support this technology’s improved diagnostic capabilities. We are very proud of cone beam 3D and feel strongly that this state-of-the-art technology will allow us to provide our patients with the very highest level of care possible today.