3D Imaging, Cone Beam CT in Virginia Beach

Our endodontic office utilizes a Carestream 9600 Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) machine. This is an imaging technique that produces 3D images of your teeth, jaw bone, and structures within the jaw with incredible detail. It enables us to perform a wider range of diagnoses and treatments in our office, helping to reduce multiple visits and in many cases can eliminate the need for exploratory surgery.

CBCT has become increasingly important in dentistry. It assists in diagnosis, assessment, and specialized treatment planning. During a CBCT scan, the scanner rotates around the patient’s head, obtaining voxels that are reconstructed into a three-dimensional image. This image is important to:

• Visualize internal anatomy that cannot be diagnosed externally
• Plan treatment and or surgery
• Analyze the position and orientation of critical structures, like nerves, vessels, teeth roots, previous implants, the sinus and nose.
• Visualize endodontic anomalies

A CBCT is a compact, faster and safer version of the regular CT. Through the use of a cone shaped X-Ray beam, the size of the scanner, radiation dosage and time needed for scanning are all dramatically reduced. The time needed for a full scan is typically under one minute and the radiation dosage is up to a hundred times less than that of a regular CT scanner. The Carestream 9600 offers the highest resolution and the lowest radiation dose.

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My Dentist Took an X-ray, Should I Bring It with Me?

While we are happy to review any x-rays forwarded by your dental office, it is not required for your appointment. The x-rays we take in our office are specifically designed to diagnose root canal issues with precision and accuracy.

Unlike the “full-field” CBCT images commonly taken in dental offices, our CBCT images are more focused, providing higher resolution of the specific teeth that may require root canal treatment. This level of detail helps us identify even subtle issues that might otherwise be missed.

We are committed to taking the minimum number of radiographs necessary to ensure an accurate diagnosis while prioritizing your safety and comfort.