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Cone Beam services offered in Glen Burnie, Rosedale and Timonium, MD
Sterling Endodontics offers world-class endodontic care to patients in Glen Burnie, Baltimore and Timonium, MD, and beyond. Advanced imaging enables that care, which is why Juheon Seung DDS, MS, sourced the best cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) technology to bring to the practice. If you’d like more information about how state-of-the-art imaging can enhance your care, book a visit online or by phone today.
Cone Beam Q & A
What is cone beam computed tomography?
Endodontic treatments take place in the internal areas of a tooth, where the human eye has no access without technological assistance. That’s why imaging is such a central part of the diagnostic and treatment process.
Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an innovative technique that creates three-dimensional views of a tooth’s structure. The equipment moves around you while you remain comfortably seated, gathering images using an X-ray beam shaped like a cone.
The system converts those images into a 3D representation of your teeth, bone, and the other tissues of your mouth, head, and neck. Dr. Seung uses those images to determine which treatment approach is the best fit for your needs.
How can CBCT technology improve endodontic treatment?
CBCT scanning is a good option for patients who report pain but don’t display clear areas of concern during physical exams or conventional imaging. Infection and inflammation in tooth roots can be detected using CBCT technology long before it will appear on an X-ray.
Bone loss is another area in which CBCT imaging offers a more in-depth assessment. Cracked teeth and vertical root fractures are also easier to spot using advanced CBCT technology.
Regardless of whether your treatment plan includes surgical interventions, CBCT scanning can guide the process. As with many dental issues, treating a problem in the inner chamber of the tooth or in the underlying bone yields the best results when started in the earliest possible stages.
How should I prepare for my CBCT session?
Knowing what to expect can make your CBCT session less stressful. The entire process is painless, and unlike other forms of imaging, you won’t be confined in a small space.
Most CBCT scans can be done while you rest comfortably in the exam chair, but you might also be asked to stand during your scan. Once you’re in position, there’s no need to move or change position, as the equipment moves around your head to gather the images.
You simply need to stand still while the machine moves, and the entire process is relatively quick. There’s no need to bite down on anything or place anything in your mouth during the scan unless you’re in the process of getting dental implants.
On the day of your visit, there’s no need to alter your diet in any way. Simply remove any jewelry, hearing aids, eyeglasses, hairpins, or dentures prior to your scan, so they don’t get picked up on the imaging. Be sure to let Dr. Seung know if you are pregnant at the time of the scan.
If you have additional questions or concerns about how CBCT can enhance your diagnostic and treatment planning, call the office to set up a visit, or book using the easy online scheduling page.