Endodontics thrives through its technology, and one of the biggest pieces of technology to influence dentistry is the use of CBCT or cone beam computerized technology. Many dentists often attempt to incorporate the use of CBCT technology, but for endodontics, CBCT technology is a crucial part of performing proper treatments because of what it provides for patients. But how does CBCT technology work, and how do endodontists use this type of technology to help patients?
Endodontics thrives through its technology, and one of the biggest pieces of technology to influence dentistry is the use of CBCT or cone beam computerized technology. Many dentists often attempt to incorporate the use of CBCT technology, but for endodontics, CBCT technology is a crucial part of performing proper treatments because of what it provides for patients. But how does CBCT technology work, and how do endodontists use this type of technology to help patients?
The History and Roles of CBCT in the Office
For many dentists, x-rays and radiographs are the standard forms of imaging used to get detailed images of the teeth, gums, and other oral structures to help diagnose diseases and treat them. Since the late 1800s, x-rays, and radiographs have been improved over time to become more high-tech and applicable in everyday offices and are considered some of the most affordable pieces of technology to have. But these types of imaging equipment also come at a higher cost.
X-rays and radiographs often lack the efficiency to provide accurate images, often leaving many dentists to observe the relevant data they have and compare it to the patient’s dental history and current symptoms to form a diagnosis. However, the lack of accuracy they provide can also lead to a higher chance of misdiagnosis to occur and failed treatments as a result, especially for patients with complex tooth problems that have to be observed more fully through invasive measures.
In an attempt to resolve this issue, CBCT technology is able to produce higher-quality results by producing 3D images of the affected tooth and surrounding structures. Through a cone-mounted device, the device performs a transit around the patient’s head, taking over 600 images throughout the procedure. Once all images are taken, those images are processed into a 3D rendered image through processing software. The end result creates an image that provides more diagnostic ability and better image clarity.
Because of this type of technology, now dentists can identify problems with greater success than with traditional x-rays and radiographs. For patients sensitive to radiation due to the onset of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, CBCT technology helps reduce the need for traditional x-rays and make it safer all around. Through the use of CBCT technology, dentists can:
- Detect conditions and diseases that are affecting the orofacial area, including oral cancer
- Can provide highly precise measurements of the dimensions and shape of your jaw
- Identify potential problems with nerve canals, sinuses, and nasal cavities
- Identify the precise point where a tooth infection is taking hold
- Greater ability to view existing dental problems in great detail
- Use the image as a guide to navigating the canals during care
The result of all these benefits is safer, more successful treatments for complex dental problems. So, how can endodontists apply the use of CBCT technology in their practices? In this next section, we’ll be discussing the implications of CBCT technology in the medical business sector and see where CBCT technology can be best applied.
Dental Conditions Treated Using CBCT Technology
For dentists looking into using CBCT technology, it’s important to understand its capabilities and its applicable uses before investing. CBCT is able to provide detailed images of the bone structure in relation to the muscles, tissues, and nerve endings throughout the endodontic areas and thus is typically used in cases where there are complex dental problems present with the patient. While many general dentists can use CBCT technology, areas of specialty, including endodontics, periodontics, implant surgeons, and oral surgeons, can highly benefit from CBCT due to the complexity of the oral structures and diseases that can affect those structures.
For patients arriving with complex cases, CBCT technology can be best used to help improve the rate of diagnostic procedures and eventually formulate an accurate diagnosis. So, in what dental cases should CBCT technology be applied? Below, we’ll list some examples of complex tooth cases and observe how CBCT technology can be used to improve the patient’s overall wellbeing:
- Obscure Root Canals: For patients requiring root canals, some patients can have misshapen root channels that traditional x-rays cannot observe. Some canals, such as the MB2 canal, are considered one of the most neglected canals by endodontists because of how often it is missed during the diagnosis process. CBCT technology can eliminate the possibility by formulating 3D images of the root canals and help prevent the onset of reinfection within the pulp.
- Dental Implant Accuracy: For implant surgeons, some patients who have issues with their jawline formation or nasal cavities would need more accurate alignments for their implants. CBCT technology can help form pictures of the oral cavities, including the areas of missing teeth, to detect any signs of abnormalcy within the oral structures and provide more accurate implant procedures.
- Measuring Jaw Tumors: Patients experiencing cancerous tumors, whether benign or malignant, require the utmost accuracy to be able to determine their severity in relation to the remaining oral structures. CBCT technology can help diagnose the size, location, and other internal factors of the tumor to be able to determine the best way to remove it or treat it.
- Locating Dental Pathology: For internal diseases such as periodontal disease and dental abscesses, determining the root cause of the disease or condition can be overall better performed through CBCT technology. CBCT technology can help provide a more accurate diagnosis for determining the pathology of certain diseases and thus can further direct dentists in this position to treat the ailment without the higher risk of failure.
Being able to clearly map the dental areas has allowed the dental industry to make great strides within the dental industry, allowing practices to better treat their patients with the latest technology out there. By combining that with intraoral scanners, 3D printing, and regenerative dentistry, dentists can hopefully be able to treat common dental problems without the need for invasive procedures. In the meantime, CBCT technology is considered one of the latest advancements in dentistry to date, and for patients wishing to learn more about these types of procedures, the best place to go is to speak with your dentist or endodontist for more information.
For many dentists, x-rays and radiographs are the standard forms of imaging used to get detailed images of the teeth, gums, and other oral structures to help diagnose diseases and treat them. Since the late 1800s, x-rays, and radiographs have been improved over time to become more high-tech and applicable in everyday offices and are considered some of the most affordable pieces of technology to have. But these types of imaging equipment also come at a higher cost.
X-rays and radiographs often lack the efficiency to provide accurate images, often leaving many dentists to observe the relevant data they have and compare it to the patient’s dental history and current symptoms to form a diagnosis. However, the lack of accuracy they provide can also lead to a higher chance of misdiagnosis to occur and failed treatments as a result, especially for patients with complex tooth problems that have to be observed more fully through invasive measures.
In an attempt to resolve this issue, CBCT technology is able to produce higher-quality results by producing 3D images of the affected tooth and surrounding structures. Through a cone-mounted device, the device performs a transit around the patient’s head, taking over 600 images throughout the procedure. Once all images are taken, those images are processed into a 3D rendered image through processing software. The end result creates an image that provides more diagnostic ability and better image clarity.
Because of this type of technology, now dentists can identify problems with greater success than with traditional x-rays and radiographs. For patients sensitive to radiation due to the onset of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, CBCT technology helps reduce the need for traditional x-rays and make it safer all around. Through the use of CBCT technology, dentists can:
- Detect conditions and diseases that are affecting the orofacial area, including oral cancer
- Can provide highly precise measurements of the dimensions and shape of your jaw
- Identify potential problems with nerve canals, sinuses, and nasal cavities
- Identify the precise point where a tooth infection is taking hold
- Greater ability to view existing dental problems in great detail
- Use the image as a guide to navigating the canals during care
All these benefits are safer, more successful treatments for complex dental problems. So, how can endodontists apply the use of CBCT technology in their practices? In this next section, we’ll be discussing the implications of CBCT technology in the medical business sector and see where CBCT technology can be best applied.
Dental Conditions To Use CBCT Technology
For dentists looking into using CBCT technology, it’s important to understand its capabilities and its applicable uses before investing. CBCT is able to provide detailed images of the bone structure in relation to the muscles, tissues, and nerve endings throughout the endodontic areas and thus is typically used in cases where there are complex dental problems present with the patient. While many general dentists can use CBCT technology, areas of specialty, including endodontics, periodontics, implant surgeons, and oral surgeons, can highly benefit from CBCT due to the complexity of the oral structures and diseases that can affect those structures.
For patients arriving with complex cases, CBCT technology can be best used to help improve the rate of diagnostic procedures and eventually formulate an accurate diagnosis. So, in what dental cases should CBCT technology be applied? Below, we’ll list some examples of complex tooth cases and observe how CBCT technology can be used to improve the patient’s overall wellbeing:
- Obscure Root Canals: For patients requiring root canals, some patients can have misshapen root channels that traditional x-rays cannot observe. Some canals, such as the MB2 canal, are considered one of the most neglected canals by endodontists because of how often it is missed during the diagnosis process. CBCT technology can eliminate the possibility by formulating 3D images of the root canals and help prevent the onset of reinfection within the pulp.
- Dental Implant Accuracy: For implant surgeons, some patients who have issues with their jawline formation or nasal cavities would need more accurate alignments for their implants. CBCT technology can help form pictures of the oral cavities, including the areas of missing teeth, to detect any signs of abnormalcy within the oral structures and provide more accurate implant procedures.
- Measuring Jaw Tumors: Patients experiencing cancerous tumors, whether benign or malignant, require the utmost accuracy to be able to determine their severity in relation to the remaining oral structures. CBCT technology can help diagnose the size, location, and other internal factors of the tumor to be able to determine the best way to remove it or treat it.
- Locating Dental Pathology: For internal diseases such as periodontal disease and dental abscesses, determining the root cause of the disease or condition can be overall better performed through CBCT technology. CBCT technology can help provide a more accurate diagnosis for determining the pathology of certain diseases and thus can further direct dentists in this position to treat the ailment without the higher risk of failure.
Being able to clearly map the dental areas has allowed the dental industry to make great strides within the dental industry, allowing practices to better treat their patients with the latest technology out there. By combining that with intraoral scanners, 3D printing, and regenerative dentistry, dentists can hopefully be able to treat common dental problems without the need for invasive procedures. In the meantime, CBCT technology is considered one of the latest advancements in dentistry to date, and for patients wishing to learn more about these types of procedures, the best place to go is to speak with your dentist or endodontist for more information.
