At Shane Nelson DDS in Overland Park, Kansas, we are committed to staying up-to-date on the latest technologies that can improve the way we deliver patient care. One of the most beneficial new technologies that have emerged in recent years is cone beam 3D imaging. Using this advanced imaging technology, we can better diagnose oral health problems and precisely plan your treatment for the best possible outcomes.
What is cone beam 3D imaging?
Most people are familiar with the traditional 2-dimensional x-rays that dentists perform to evaluate the inner structures of your mouth. While these effectively identify issues such as cavities, the 2-dimensional view is limited in the information it can provide, especially about your soft tissues and intricate structures such as the nerve pathways and tooth canals. With our 3-dimensional cone beam scanner, we can visualize the structures in your oral cavity with much more detail and accuracy. Using a cone-shaped beam of x-rays, the scanner takes hundreds of “slices” of information about your teeth, bones, and soft tissues. Our specialized software takes all of these images and compiles them into 3-dimensional views that we can maneuver and manipulate to obtain incredibly detailed information about your oral health.
How we use cone beam 3D images
Cone beam 3D images are such a powerful tool in the way we provide dental care because they can be used in a variety of scenarios to diagnose and plan your treatment. Some of the ways that Dr. Nelson uses cone beam 3D scans include:
- Determining the extent of disease or decay to identify the best treatment plan for your specific needs.
- Planning out dental extractions, particularly for impacted teeth.
- Precise placement of dental implants.
- Diagnosing issues with the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) or sinuses.
- Determining the cause of undiagnosed pain.
- Planning out orthodontic treatment.
- Surgical planning for reconstruction.
- and much more!
What to expect with a cone beam 3D scan
Getting a cone beam 3D scan is quick, easy, and painless. In fact, the whole process only takes about a minute! There is no preparation required aside from taking off any metal jewelry or bobby pins that you might be wearing. We will simply position your head in the center of the machine, and it will rotate around 360 degrees to take images at all necessary angles for an accurate 3-dimensional model.
A 3D cone beam scan is not always necessary for every patient. Dr. Nelson will only recommend this type of imaging if it is appropriate for your specific oral health needs and is happy to answer any questions you may have about the technology or its cost.
To schedule your appointment at Shane Nelson DDS, call our Overland Park, KS office today at (913) 297-7800 or request your appointment online!
