There is a common belief among some general dentists that Dental Cone Beam systems are not necessary for effective patient diagnoses and treatment planning. Some of them may believe that they can simply continue to use traditional dental imaging techniques such as periapical radiographs, bitewings and panoramic X-rays for such purposes.
Despite these sentiments, the range of features and the software capabilities associated with dental cone beam CT (cone beam computed tomography) can drastically improve a practitioner’s abilities to detect and diagnose conditions by capturing 3D images that allow dental professionals to view the dental anatomy in real time and in three dimensions, providing a complete summary of the patient’s oral health. CBCT systems have the ability to significantly improve patient care which can, in turn, make a practice more efficient and more profitable.
Dental Cone Beam for General Dentists
It is true that the advanced capabilities of a dental cone beam system can expand a general practitioner’s list of available services, but a cone beam system will not simply serve as a practice production and revenue generator. It may also significantly improve their diagnostic capabilities.
CBCT scans make it much easier to detect tooth fractures, no matter where they occur, whether at the crown, in the root, or in the furcation of the tooth. Dental cone beam scans also eliminate the occurrence of radiolucencies and image artifacts that are sometimes present in periapical and panoramic X-rays.
Dental cone beam imaging may also improve a dentist’s ability to detect and diagnose periodontal disease, clearly showing the signs of bone loss for more accurate diagnoses and recommendations for patient treatment.
Because of the level of anatomical detail provided by dental cone beam computed tomography, other dental anomalies are easier to identify, diagnose, and treat. For example, furcations and bony defects are easier to locate and identify. Understanding proximity to the mandibular canal or sinuses makes planning for extractions easier as well.
Overall, dental cone beam systems help to eliminate the guesswork and assumptions sometimes required by the incomplete representation or limited information provided by 2D imaging. Cone beam systems enable you to see the hard and soft tissues in greater detail, and in relation to each other, enabling more accurate, precise diagnoses and helping to eliminate frustrating and expensive re-treatments.
The use of dental cone beam systems helps to improve treatment planning for endodontic work, root canals, and dental implants as well. It enables you to identify the location and density of both bone and nerves, along with other soft tissues, enabling you to determine whether you want to proceed with the treatment in-house or if it makes more sense to refer the patient to a specialist.
Selecting the Proper Field of View (FOV)
With all of the options available in the market today, selecting the proper dental cone beam system for your practice can seem like a daunting task. You will need to consider several different economic, design and diagnostic factors including price, footprint and required features and functionality. You will need to think about your current and future panoramic and cephalometric needs and whether or not you require additional features such as system upgradeability or extraoral bitewings. You’ll also want to research which software is included with the system, how images integrate within your other practice software and workflow, and most importantly which 3D field of view size(s), or FOV you will need to diagnose and treat your patients.
Depending on manufacturer and model, dental cone beam systems are available with a wide range of fields of view, from very small, focused fields of view for localized exams to large fields of view for craniofacial views. However, despite the wide range of options, most cone beam systems, even those with a very large field of view, can be collimated to capture smaller scans, limiting radiation to the area of interest and lowering overall patient radiation dose.
Affordable Dental Cone Beam for General Dentists
Since dental cone beam systems can range from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand dollars or more, some dentists may be reluctant to adopt this technology. For those dental professionals that have put off upgrading to CBCT systems due to the significant initial investment, there are options that can mitigate this concern, such as the prevalence of reputable used dental equipment dealers in the dental market today.
The purchase of a certified pre-owned cone beam system from a reputable dealer like Renew Digital can provide you with a premier system with advanced functionality and up-to-date software while saving you substantially over the cost of a new equivalent unit.
For example, Renew Digital has been providing certified, pre-owned extraoral 2D imaging and CBCT systems to dentists and dental specialists for over a decade. In many cases, this used dental equipment can save practitioners up to 30% to 50% off the price of new dental cone beam systems.
Each purchase of a certified pre-owned system from Renew Digital includes on-site installation and exceptional replacement parts and onsite service warranty coverage, including industry-leading service and support. Their team of specialists will even train you and your staff on the use of the new system, helping to prevent interruptions to your workflow and streamlining your learning curve.
If you aren’t sure where to start, contact Renew Digital’s professional sales team. They will consult with you to gain a thorough understanding of your clinical needs and expectations and will suggest the best dental cone beam systems to meet those needs. They even offer flexible financing options to help make owning a certified pre-owned CBCT system even more affordable.
There’s no need to wait any longer to add the power of dental cone beam to your general dental practice. Get in touch with Renew Digital’s helpful sales team today at 888-246-5611 or via their online contact form and they’ll help you get started!
