| A cone beam scanner is an innovative technology | | | | orientation, nerve canals and pathology. The |
| piece that is helping make patient visits better and their | | | | information that the CBCT provides is "imperative to |
| treatment more effective. However, no matter how | | | | determining anatomical variations that can affect the |
| excited a dental professional might be about the Cone | | | | procedure's success or failure." Thus, it is clearly an |
| Beam, with innovative technology there are often | | | | incredibly useful tool in ensuring that when a patient |
| questions that arise from patients. These questions | | | | goes into surgery, it is as quick and effective of a |
| generally revolve around: the purpose the technology | | | | surgery as possible. |
| serves and the safety of the tool. | | | | Does the Cone Beam CT Scan Create High Amounts |
| The Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) | | | | of Radiation? |
| technology has provided great value to those seeking | | | | Excess radiation should always be monitored when |
| dental implant surgery. Recently concerns have arisen | | | | undergoing scans. Some CT technologies use more |
| regarding the safety of radiation for medical scans. In | | | | radiation than average, but the general goal for |
| order to bring clarity, we are going to discuss both the | | | | radiation is that it follows ALARA protocol. ALARA |
| purpose that CBCT serves in dental implants as well | | | | protocol refers to "As Low As Reasonably Possible". |
| as shed light on radiation claims for medical CTs and if | | | | In recent articles, concerns regarding medical CT |
| it applies to CBCT. | | | | scans and overexposure of radiation have arisen. |
| What Does the Cone Beam CT Scan Do? | | | | These reports are in reference to medical CT scans |
| Dental implant placement is most effective when the | | | | and not dental scans. Medical scans are reported to |
| foundation beneath the gums is prepared and strong. | | | | have 33 times greater radiation exposure than a |
| The Cone Beam CT Scan (CBCT) is what analyzes | | | | dental CT. The radiation that is required for dental CT |
| every angle and substance beneath the gum line to | | | | scans is significantly less, meaning that ALARA |
| determine the health of the mouth and the possibility of | | | | protocol is in place. |
| effective surgery. It will determine: bone structure, tooth | | | | |