The 3D Cone Beam Scanner is a transformational piece of dental technology that is currently available to dentist for their offices. Though the cost of acquiring the unit is high, it provides the opportunity to help patients in ways that we could not easily do before. More and more dentists will seek out this great technological advantage so that they may diagnose hidden and complex patient problems.
Dental 3D Cone Beam Scanner
Since acquiring the Vatech Cone Beam Scanner I have been able to help my patients by more accurately planning their dental implant treatment. Previously, I would have to refer the patient to a facility, such as a hospital, to take the scan. This was a burden for the patient and usually caused them to delay important treatment that they wanted to complete. Moreover, hospital based scanners deliver doses of radiation that are higher than necessary for dental applications.
The Dental 3D Cone Beam Scanner delivers 90% less radiation.
At Greenwich Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, once the patient and doctor agree that a 3D scan is necessary, it only takes minutes to complete the scan and determine if the patient is a candidate for dental implants, has tooth or bone pathology, or has a wisdom tooth that may injure a nerve upon extraction. Even children benefit from this in-office technology; sometimes an extra tooth, called a supernumery tooth, may prevent the eruption of the permanent tooth. Finding the exact location in three dimensions of the extra, unwanted tooth is critical to aid its removal. Exact location of the tooth means that the trauma of the removal procedure is reduced for the patient.
Patients stand while taking the scan and are in constant view of the technician or doctor operating the scanner. A scan can be completed in 20-30 seconds, so patients do not feel claustrophobic or tired. The data is then processed by specialized software so that the images can be seen and manipulated in three dimensions by the doctor. The results can be printed out or burned onto a CD so that patients may retain their results for their records or seek consultations with other dental and medical specialists.