Four Seasons Dental Spa features efficient and quality facial x-rays, including our Cone Beam CT Scan. When normal x-rays aren’t sufficient enough to grab all the most intricate details of your mouth, the Cone Beam CT can create digital 3D images of your mouth, teeth, tissues, and nerves.
About Four Seasons Dental Spa’s Cone Beam CT Scan
The dental cone beam CT scanner is a specialized x-ray machine used in specific cases. A single scan can yield 3D images of your dental structure, soft tissues, the nerve system in your mouth, and all the bones around your jaw. With only one scan, the dental Cone Beam CT can find even the smallest details to help with a more precise diagnosis.
Unlike conventional CT exams, the Cone Beam Scanner is smaller and allows the patient to sit upright or lay down. However, the process of the CT is similar to conventional ones. The C-arm of the machine will rotate 360-degrees around the patient’s head in order to capture multiple angles. During this 360-degree journey, the Cone Beam CT Scan can capture 150 to 200 high-resolution 2D images that can be put together to create a 3d image of the inside of your mouth!
How do I prepare?
The following are steps you can take to be comfortable and safe during a Cone Beam CT Scan.
- Wear loose-fitting and comfortable clothing. You will also be provided with a gown upon arrival.
- If you are pregnant, please be sure to consult a dentist before proceeding.
- Do not wear any jewelry. If you have any metal piercing, please remove those as well.
- Metal accessories such as eyeglasses, hairpins, or dentures should be taken off.
- Ladies will be asked to remove their bras if they contain an underwire.
What to expect from a Cone Beam CT Scan
After the procedure, the dentist will use the Cone Beam CT dental imaging to map your mouth. This ‘mouth map’ can be used for any of the following:
- Diagnosing Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
- Detecting any jaw abnormalities
- Determining surgical and treatment planning for oral surgeries
- Creating an accurate plan for dental implant planning and placement
- Determining tooth placement and bone structure
- Getting measurements of your teeth, jaw, tongue, and head
- Evaluation of sinuses, nerves, and nasal cavity
After the procedure is over, you can go about your day, there is no downtime. And best of all, you won’t have to worry about getting multiple scans, which in the long term, limits your radiation exposure!