One of the most exciting new pieces of equipment in the dental industry today is the 3-D Cone Beam CT machine.
These machines are exactly what they sound like, relatively small, easy to install, and easy to use CT machines, focused on the head and jaw of the patient. These machines are inexpensive when compared to a hospital CT machine, but are priced higher than a standard panoramic x-ray machine. Of course, the images you get are much more detailed than what you would expect from a standard panoramic X-ray.
Why do you need a 3-D Cone Beam CT machine in your practice?
There are a number of reasons why you might want one; for example you might be performing implant surgeries, be working with advanced orthodontic cases, or performing a wide range of oral surgeries. The extra imaging capability of these machines will improve your understanding of the patient’s anatomy, resulting in a higher level of care for your patient. The Cone Beam gives you a detailed three dimensional image that can be manipulated in a variety of ways.
Two of the leading machines on the market are the J. Morita 3D Accuitomo FPD (http://www.jmoritausa.com/accuitomo_80.asp) and the Gendex GXCB-500 (http://www.gxcb500.com/).
These machines use X-ray tube head technology to excite a flat digital sensor, similar to a digital pan. Once the exposure is complete, the software assembles all of these flat pixels into an exact digital 3-D model of the target.
These machines typically take up no more space than a standard panoramic x-ray, although there can be more stringent installation requirements in terms of placement and shielding around the machine. Some of the machines have the patient stand up similar to a pan, but most machines have a seat for the patient to sit in. This is due to the slightly longer exposure time and the importance of the patient being absolutely still throughout the exposure.
The images that these machines produce, and the sheer amount of information contained in these images is amazing. The images are completely 3-D, and can be manipulated on all axis.
In addition, the software gives you the capability to zoom, crop, slice, and dissect. Dentistry is no longer only about filling cavities. As the industry and profession continue to advance, the Cone Beam will become more mainstream, and will eventually become the new standard of care.
Tags for this article :Dental Equipment dental imaging and x rayTags: Dental Equipment, Dental Imaging and X-Ray
Some of the machines have the patient stand up similar to a pan, but most machines have a seat for the patient to sit in..vancouver cosmetic dentistry