Cone Beam CT Scan

Cone beam CT scans give your dentist an unparalleled view into all the structures in your mouth, including your underlying bone and soft tissues. At Frontier Family Dental in Graham, Washington, Seung Jae (David) Joung, DMD, invests in onsite cone beam CT scan technology to provide patients with the quality diagnostic care and treatment planning they deserve. Call the dental practice today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What is a cone beam CT scan?

Cone beam computed tomography (CT) scans are X-rays that produce 3-D images of your teeth, gums, nerves, underlying tissues, and bone. These devices take cross-sectional images of your underlying tooth structures to create small slices that allow for a complete view of these structures.

A cone beam CT scan can capture high-resolution images of your entire face and skull for effective diagnostics and treatment planning while taking far less time than X-rays and other common imaging scans.

How does a cone beam CT scan work?

During a cone beam CT scan, a section of the device called the C-arm rotates around the head to capture 3-D images of your dental anatomy, including your:

• Jaw
• Teeth
• Bony facial structures
• Nerve pathways
• Nasal cavity
• Sinuses
• Throat

The test is noninvasive, painless, and provides 360-degree rotation that can capture images in just a few seconds.

What are the uses for a cone beam CT scan?

The most common use for cone beam CT scans is treatment planning. Your dentist at Frontier Family Dental may use a cone beam CT scan to:

• Detect and treat jaw tumors
• Plan and place dental implants
• Diagnose temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
• Plan reconstructive surgery
• Pinpoint an area of pain
• Determine tooth orientation
• Evaluate the nasal cavity and sinuses
• Uncover nerve pathways
• Diagnose impacted teeth

Cone beam CT scans are especially advantageous for complex conditions that require detailed treatment planning, like oral surgery. 

For example, dental implants require a precise placement to function properly. Cone beam CT scans allow your dentist to determine the precise size and location of your dental implants. These tests can also help reveal whether you need a bone graft before implant surgery.

What are the benefits of a cone beam CT scan?

Cone beam CT scans are efficient tools for dental planning that can create multiple cross-sectional images in less than a minute. Compared to traditional X-rays, cone beam CT scans:

• Require less radiation 
• Provide clearer, more detailed images
• Offer unmatched accuracy
• Are fast and painless

Call Frontier Family Dental today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about cone beam CT scans.