Spokane Dentist

Imaging is an important part of dental care. It’s impossible for your dentist to clearly see what is going on in your mouth just by looking inside, so imaging has been used for decades as a way to diagnose problems and create treatment plans. In recent years, the development of cone beam imaging has taken things to a new level, and dentists who use this technology are now able to enjoy the benefits of highly detailed, three-dimensional scans.

In this post, we’d like to highlight a few of the benefits of cone beam imaging. At Spokane Dental, we added a cone beam imaging machine to our office in an effort to better serve our patients. If you are dealing with a complex oral health situation and may benefit from the level of detail that this machine can provide, contact us right away to learn more.

A Clear Picture

Without a doubt, the leading benefit of using cone beam imaging is the level of detail that is provided in the final pictures. The more information your dentist has about the current state of your oral health, the easier it will be to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. A great image takes the guesswork out of the equation – the dentist can simply review the various angles that were provided by the imaging scan and then make decisions from there.

Speaking of angles, that is another advantage of cone beam imaging. The nature of this type of scan leaves the dentist not with just one picture of your mouth, but many different angles and viewpoints. Depending on what kind of condition is being faced, it may be crucial to have such a selection available. You may have dealt with a situation previously where your dentist just couldn’t seem to get the right image in order to solve your oral health issues. That shouldn’t be a problem with cone beam imaging.

A Blended Image

Standard x-rays do a good job of capturing images of bone structures – but that is all they do. That’s certainly helpful in many situations, but not all cases can be solved by taking pictures of the bones alone. With a cone beam imaging CT scan, the dentist will get pictures of both the bones and the soft tissue around those bones. This is a ‘game-changing’ difference, as it makes it possible to diagnose a whole range of other problems.

Preparing for Implants

While dental imaging has a range of uses, one of the common reasons to have a cone beam scan performed is to prepare for a dental implant. If you are considering dental implants to replace missing teeth, your dentist will need to confirm that you are a good candidate for such a procedure. Only patients with sufficient healthy bone to receive the implant will be a viable candidate for this type of dental work.

Thanks to cone beam imaging, it is easier than ever before to determine if a patient is suitable for dental implants. The last thing you want to do is get into a situation where dental implants are attempted, only to find later that your jaw is not going to be able to handle the implant properly. That’s not a concern when cone beam imaging is used, as the dentist will get all of the information he or she needs to make a smart choice regarding treatment options.

Some Basics

Even with a non-invasive scan like cone beam imaging, patients often have questions about what will take place during their visit. And that’s great! We are always happy to answer questions and want our patients to be as informed and comfortable as possible when they visit.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the basics of having a cone beam imaging scan performed. Of course, things can vary from patient to patient depending on the specifics of the case, so the list below may not mirror your experience exactly. For more specific information, please feel free to speak with your dentist.

  • No prep required. You shouldn’t need to do anything special in advance of your appointment. With that said, it might be necessary to take off certain items like jewelry or glasses that could interfere with the scanning process.
  • A quick process. In most cases, this scan will not take long. Each image takes just a matter of seconds to capture, and the machine will move around you in order to get pictures from different angles. Although it doesn’t take long, it is important that you hold as still as possible, so the quality of the images is not affected by movement.
  • It’s painless! Even if you don’t love the idea of having work done at the dentist’s office, this is one visit that shouldn’t have you worried in the least. This is a non-invasive process and you won’t feel a thing while the machine does its work.

Committed to Your Success

It was an easy decision for Spokane Dental to invest in cone beam imaging technology for our office. As a leading dental office in the Spokane area, we want to provide our patients with the latest technology so we can offer the best treatment time after time. You’ll notice our dedication to service from your very first business, as everyone in our office is focused on sending you away satisfied with the outcome of your dental care. We think of our patients like family and you’ll always be welcome in our office.

Schedule Your First Appointment!

As you can see, there are many benefits to be enjoyed when you visit a dental office that employs the use of a cone-beam imaging unit. With accurate and detailed imaging available, your dentist will be able to present you with all of the available treatment options for your situation. To learn more, or to make your first appointment, please give us a call during office hours. Thank you for considering Spokane Dental!