3-D CONE BEAM SCANS
Affiliated Orthodontics now offers an exciting new technology for our patients and for patients of other doctors who might be referred to our office. This technology is known as Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) Imaging, sometimes referred to as 3-D radiographs or X-rays. Using a CBCT gives us the ability to take 3-D images of the teeth, jaws, bones, and facial structures with much less energy than a typical CT scan used in hospitals. 3-D imaging provides us the opportunity for improve diagnostics for our patients, especially in cases of crowded teeth, impacted teeth, missing teeth, dental implant planning, surgical treatment, oral pathology, as well as complex cases. As a courtesy to our patients, we will submit to insurance for this service, but you will not be charged regardless if your insurance covers it or not.
Understandably, you may have questions about exposure to these types of x-rays. Here are some facts you should know about 3-D Imaging. A CBCT in 10 seconds is equivalent to:
- About ¼ as much radiation as a full series of digital dental x-rays
- About 1/5 as much radiation as a full series of standard dental x-rays
- About 1/10 as much radiation as a full mammogram series
- About 1/25 as much radiation as a head medical CT scan
CBCT Imaging, therefore, offers our patients enhanced diagnostic value at significantly reduced exposure. At the same time, CBCT scans can capture an image of the entire head and most of the neck. As dentists and orthodontists, we are trained to evaluate the teeth, the jaws, and the surrounding periodontal bone. Our training does not provide for evaluating and diagnosing outside of those areas. However, since CBCT imaging can cover a broader area, we want to offer you the opportunity to have your CBCT scan read by an oral radiologist, who is trained and licensed to evaluate a broader area. CBCT scans may show evidence of disease of the cervical spine, skull, arteries, and more. We can refer you to a radiology group for this purpose. The cost is $150.00 to have my CBCT read by an oral radiologist.