The i-CAT Cone Beam 3-D Dental CT Scanner
 We use what the manufacturers claim is the most accurate Cone Beam 3D Scanner available worldwide today. This produces a high resolution image set to an accuracy of 0.1mm, using considerably less radiation than conventional "hospital" scanners.
Why have CT scans?
In addition to the need for a CT Scan for the production of a NobelGuide (Surgical Drilling Guide) for the precise placement of implants, CT scans can help look for signs of inflammation, disease or cancer and monitor many other health conditions and can also detect vertical teeth fractures that may be undetected by conventional OPG’s.
Permanent dental implants offer a long lasting alternative to removable dentures, but the procedure demands detailed planning. Pre-operative CT Scanning allows an accurate assessment of bone thickness and density at potential implant positions, and helps the implantologist to avoid the nerves. Computed tomography (CT) scans have become the norm for pre-implant assessment, because the non-distorted images are suitable for exact measurement, and the bone density can be estimated directly from the CT numbers. Over a thousand CT scans are carried out in the UK annually for pre-surgical planning prior to the placement of dental implants.
For many years the main disadvantage of CT was the relatively high radiation dose, but early studies were based on older equipment. Significant improvements in CT Scanner design, detector sensitivity and beam collimation have now taken place.
What is a CT scan?
Computed Tomography is a radiographic examination that uses advanced X-ray technology to create multiple images of sections of the region being examined. These "slices" can be reformatted to create new "cross-sectional" or 3D images.
Ordinary dental X-rays are limited to visualisation in 2D; yet so often diagnosis and planning requires a more complete understanding of a complex 3D anatomy. CT examinations provide a wealth of 3D information which may be used when planning for Dental Implants, Surgical Extractions, Maxillofacial Surgery and advanced dental restorative procedures.
The image data may be simply viewed on screen, or alternatively sent by more sophisticated software solutions for specialist planning for dental implants, leading to minimal invasive surgery.
What's involved?
Computerised tomography (CT) uses X-ray equipment and a computer to create detailed images (scans) of teeth, bones and soft tissue including the brain. The images are black, white and grey and can be seen in three dimensions. The images are either stored in a digital format and shown on a computer screen or burnt onto a CD.
Dental Vertical Root Fractures: Value of CT in Detection
Vertical root fractures occur in approximately 4% of root canal treated teeth and are difficult to diagnose on the basis of clinical observations, even with the use of conventional OPG’s (orthopantomographs). A fracture line is observed on dental radiographs in only about 35% of cases. Because a vertical root fracture necessitates extraction of the tooth, it is advantageous to find a more efficient and reliable means of establishing the diagnosis before an operation, so that the costs and effort of an ineffective apical root resection may be avoided.
What the patient can expect
A radiographer will operate the scanning equipment. The referring dentist must inform our reception about any medicines the patient is taking and if the patient has any allergies, glaucoma or heart disease.
CT scans are not recommended for pregnant women, unless there is an urgent medical reason, so dentists must find out in advance if a patient could be pregnant.
The radiographer will explain what is involved with the examination and ensure that the patient is happy to proceed with the CT scan.
The procedure can take from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the examination.
For dental and head scans, patients will be asked to remove contact lenses, dentures, hair clips, hearing aids, necklaces, ear-rings and other jewellery.
It can take several minutes for each image to be formed, and it's important to remain very still during the process.
Further information
Other considerations
A CT scan can be useful in a case where legal issues have arisen; where a patient has decided for whatever reason to make a claim against a GDP for treatment that did not result as the patient had expected.
A CT scan can provide invaluable information that could provide GDP’s with evidence that could exonerate them completely.
Preoperative CT scans are also particularly useful where there may be some doubt as to the precise condition of a previously root filled tooth, for example, and where in-depth preoperative diagnosis is required prior to undertaking a procedure with any risk as to a successful outcome, however slight.
In a case where there are legal issues are pending we can take a diagnostic CT scan, which can be sent to an appointed expert witness. |
