When I think about the things that have revolutionized my dental practice, the GXCB-500 Cone Beam system immediately comes to mind.  The ability to capture 3-D images in my office greatly improves the dental implant experience for both the dentist and the patient.

Dental Implants are a major focus of my dental practice, which is  located in Palm Harbor, Tampa Bay area of Florida.  Approximately 40% of my practice is  dental implant related.

With the GXCB-500, a patient can receive a scan on the initial examination visit.  In addition to the information that the CT scan provides, I do a health history review, a comprehensive oral / periodontal examination, traditional 2-D dental x-rays and digital photographs.  All of this usually takes 45 minutes.

Prior to dental implant placement, without 3-D imaging, I had to discuss the various senarios that “could” arise, using information from less detailed 2-D x-rays.  Patients appreciate that the GXCB-500 exposes them to less radiation than medical CT scans.

More information including current cost of dental implants and dental implants prices can be found on my website:

www.DentalImplantsCost.us

Paul L Caputo, DDS

For those not familiar with CBCT, this advanced diagnostic tool captures volumes or slices of information that are then assembled by software into 3-D views of the subject area.  This allows the dentist to view the scanned area as a 3-D object.  The area can be viewed from many different angles.

This aids in comprehensive dentistry.  The dentist now has an advanced tool for diagnostic analysis and pre-surgical planning.  the oral structures that dentists work with are three-dimensional, the new technology now allows the dentist to view and diagnose in the third dimension.

CBCT is a relatively new technology for dentists.  It has revolutionized the way dentists gather and view information.  The result is the ability to diagnose, plan and then treat in a manner that we could not even envision a few years ago.

Traditional 2-D radiographs are not obsolete, but the difference diagnosing from a two-dimensional radiograph to diagnosing from 3-D imaging, which allows for visualization of all structures from any given angle or plane is truly amazing.  The CBCT has forever altered the way dentists practice dentistry.  It has not replaced 2-D imaging, it supplements and complements it.