3D dental CT machines are also known as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Traditional CT machines used in the medical fields use high dose of radiation and capture the images. The dental 3D CT or CBCT machines use little radiation to capture the images. Dental 3D CT machines allows the dentist to see the jaw bone structure in 3 dimensions. Other 2 dimensional radiographs or x-ray films show the object in 2 dimensions. The 3D CT allows visualization of the volume of the jaw bone, showing the vertical and horizontal dimensions.
Since dental implants must be placed within bone, it is important to know how much bone is available in the area planned for dental implant placement. 3D CT machines give that information with very little distortion. Traditional 2D radiographs or x-ray films provide limited information with some distortion, up to 30% enlargement in some cases. 3D CT images are viewed on a computer monitor with a special software which allows different views and measures of the x-ray images. As a surgeon placing dental implants, I wonder how I placed dental implants without the 3D CT images. I almost feel that I am blind when I have to rely on the traditional 2D x-ray images when placing implants.
So, should you have a 3D CT imaging done for your dental implant? Yes and No. In a simple case where there is an abundant amount of bone, 3D CT may not be necessary. In more complex cases and where there is a questionable amount of bone, 3D CT is highly recommended. It will make the surgeon’s job much easier and reduce the risk involved in dental implant surgery.
