So, you’ve finally set up your new dentist’s office with all of the equipment you think you’ll need. But now you’re hearing all about the advantages of using a 3D dental scanner.
Most of your patients will be looking forward to using a dental digital scanner. But, you think to yourself, “is it really that much better than a regular 2D dental X-ray?” The quick and short answer is yes. It’s much better.
Keep on reading for our full breakdown of what you can expect out of a dental 3D scanner as a practicing dentist, as well as what your patients can expect out of your new equipment.
3D Dentistry: What Is It?
Bright lights, blue bibs, picks, drills, and bubblegum toothpaste are some of the things we associate with the dentist’s office. In dental clinics throughout the country, however, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging equipment is slowly but surely finding its way into advanced imaging.
A growing number of dental offices throughout the globe are using CBCT equipment. It’s all because they are widely recognized as contributing to high-quality dental treatment.
Essential to 3D dentistry is creating a picture of the mouth and skull in digital form. A 2D image of your mouth can only be obtained using traditional X-rays. On the other hand, more advanced procedures required longer radiation exposure.
Diagnosis and treatment planning are the most common uses of 3D dental scans. Three-dimensional dental imaging enables more accurate and efficient treatment of dental diseases.
3D Dental Scanner 101
Some dentists employ 3D dental scans to gain a 360-degree image of their patient’s teeth and gums. You may capture a picture of your mouth’s internal anatomy with this device. Everything is completed in a flash.
The result is digital 3D photos that everyone in your dental network may access (oral surgeon, orthodontist, etc.). They’re on par with CAT scans when it comes to providing an almost complete picture of your dental health.
3D scans come in a variety of forms. The Itero Scanner and the Dental Cone Beam Computed Technology (CBCT) are the two most common options, and they are the ones we use.
We’ll be able to detect dental emergencies sooner because of this equipment. As a result, you’ll save a lot of money since your treatment plan will be more precise.
How Safe Are 3D Dental X-Rays?
Yes, it is pretty safe to use a 3D Intraoral scanner. As long as your patient remains in the same position, the camera captures a 360-degree picture of your head. It exposes your patient to just a minimal amount of radiation. More information may be obtained less with this method than with standard X-Rays.
As a general rule, 3D dental x-rays are the most radiation-sensitive yet deliver the finest picture quality possible. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has also approved the use of 3D x-rays on children.
The Advantages of 3D Dental Scanners
The benefits of 3D dental imaging are apparent. It provides a better clinical experience for both practitioners and patients. 3D imaging and digital imprints are just two of the cutting-edge tools available to patients at our surgery facility.
To support a high level of patient care in dentistry, we use 3D cone beam imaging systems. It enables cross-sectional and 3D images of the teeth, nerves, bone structures, and cross-sectional views. Unlike regular dental x-rays, this delivers vital information that is unavailable.
It is possible to see dental anatomy from various perspectives with the help of a dental 3D scan. Bone features such as neighboring root placements may be seen in 3D to find canal and root fractures. Also, it provides the ability to more correctly quantify anatomical components via the use of a 3D scanning technique.
As a result, these scans may be used for a broad spectrum of diagnostic and therapy planning. To make extractions and root assessments, and implant placements more successful, they improve the likelihood of treatment success. As they provide practitioners with more predictability and confidence.
Furthermore, the repeatability of 3D dental imaging ensures rapid and precise images that can be relied upon because of its accuracy and consistency. When dentists use a 3D dental scanner, they have access to a complete perspective that allows them to examine particular issues in the area of concern and assess whether treatment is required.
Patients might have greater faith in the decisions of their dentists since the small print is so apparent. Dental imaging technology also helps patients feel more at ease and enjoy their dental appointments more.
Patient-Related Information: Does Insurance Cover It?
We sent you to an imaging expert to acquire a 3D cone scan of your teeth in the old days. We dentists can now categorize this treatment for insurance since we can perform it in the office.
Your medical insurance should pay the cost of a dental scan if we’re using it to resolve a medical issue. For example, if you require a dental scan to address a problem, you’ll need to check with your insurance company to see whether it’s covered.
As a result, many dental insurance companies now cover the cost of a 3D dental scan since many dentists consider it an essential and routine first step in dental therapy.
The Beauty of a Digital Dental Scanner: Explained
3D dental imaging is gradually becoming increasingly common in dental offices around the nation. It seems that this system can provide excellent picture quality, less radiation exposure, and a better likelihood of obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
Hopefully, our guide has shed some light on all the intricate details of integrating a 3D dental scanner into your practice. And, if you’re curious about what’s new in the dental world, you should check out our health and medical sections for all of our other explainers and guides.
