Cosmetic Dentistry & Implant Dentistry
Las Vegas, Nevada
Dr. Henry Kim
Affectionate Dental Care

Excellence in Cosmetic Dentistry
　

Latest in Cosmetic & General Dentistry Technology:

• Ultra Cone Beam CT Imaging
  
  Computerized tomography is advancing rapidly. The imaging source-detector and the method of data acquisition distinguish cone beam tomography from traditional CT imaging. Traditional CT uses a high-output rotating anode X-ray tube, while cone beam tomography utilizes a low-power, medical fluoroscopy tube that provides continuous imaging throughout the scan.
  
  Traditional computerized tomography records data with a fan-shaped X-ray beam onto image detectors arranged in an arc around the patient, producing a single slice image per scan. Each slice must overlap slightly in order to properly reconstruct the images. The advanced cone beam technology uses a cone-shaped X-ray beam that transmits onto a solid-state area sensor for image capture, producing the complete volume image in a single rotation. The sensor contains an image intensifier and a CCD camera, or an amorphous silicon flat panel detector.
  The single-turn motion image-capture used in cone beam tomography is quicker than traditional spiral motion, and can be accomplished at a lower radiation dose as a result of no overlap of slices. This type of imaging exposes a patient to less radiation than traditional CT scanners.
  
  Manufacturers are designing Cone Beam Scanners with the physical space available in clinics and the patient’s comfort in mind. For example, upright seating is used in CBCT scanners with the X-ray tube and panel detector rotating around the patient’s head.Cone Beam CT imaging software helps clinicians visualize a patient’s anatomy in a clinically meaningful way. CBCT imaging is the ideal radiological modality for implantology due to the high quality of the produced images, software capabilities, ability to manipulate and use information for surgical planning, and lower doses of radiation exposure. In addition, the surgery may be performed on the computer first and the results put on a 3D printer to produce a solid model for fabrication of surgical guides and stents.
  
  CBCT imaging allows clinicians to illustrate recommended implant treatment plans to patients. The technology of the cone beam CT scanner impresses patients and aids in the selling of optional, out-of-pocket implant treatment plans.The current generation of cone beam scanners ranges from $170,000 to $300,000 each with maintenance each year as much as $30,000. As a result, they’re generally available only to imaging centers, group practices, hospitals or large clinics. The high cost effectively reduces patient and clinician access to this advanced technology. Also, the cost of an outside imaging examination is usually greater than that of inside imaging examinations. We believe that if clinicians could obtain access to CBCT technology without committing a great amount of business capital into a depreciating technology, the use of cone beam scanners would rise exponentially.
  　

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© 2005 Henry Kim DDS