As more doctors embrace 3D imaging to support their digital workflow and deliver state-of-the-art patient care, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is quickly becoming a mainstay in many practices — and for good reason. CBCT technology equips practices with the ability to capture and view exceptionally detailed 3D renderings that support improved diagnostic accuracy and confidence, more predictable treatment planning, and better patient outcomes.

Before we dive into why CBCT makes sense for your practice, it might be helpful to understand how this technology works. Derived from computed tomography (CT) commonly used in medical practice to capture multiple X-rays of a patient’s anatomy from different angles around the body, CBCT is designed particularly for dental imaging.

CBCT projects a cone-shaped beam toward a panel detector, capturing an image of the entire area in one rotation. In other words, a CBCT machine creates 3-dimensional images in a single scan — allowing for efficient diagnosis and a more productive practice.

CBCT also allows practitioners to adjust image resolution as well as field of view (FOV) to optimize image capture at low-dose settings. Imaging software then reconstructs the data to produce the views the doctor needs to support diagnosis and develop the appropriate treatment plan.
 

Does CBCT Make Sense for Your Practice?

In one word, yes. Despite its clear advantages, some practices may still consider CBCT to be more technology than they need. The many benefits of CBCT, however, extend across all types and sizes of offices, from general practices to specialized oral surgery and everything in between.

When determining whether CBCT has a place in your practice, consider what this technology brings with it.
 

Clear, sharp images: 

CBCT captures a wealth of information about your patients’ anatomy and conditions, without the potential downside of superimposition, distortion, or magnification that often impact the quality of 2D radiographs.

More detail revealed: 

CBCT scans show the location and the relationship of anatomical structures in exceptional detail — allowing you to better detect issues like bone loss and improve the diagnosis of hard-to-see problems.

Bolster diagnostic accuracy: With this level of detail and image quality, you and your team can be more confident in the accuracy and thoroughness of your diagnosis, leading to more predictable treatment planning and patient outcomes.

Low radiation exposure: 

CBCT machines give your patients a low-dose option for imaging, something they’ll appreciate.

High patient acceptance: 

With CBCT, you can show patients their current dentition in easy-to-understand 3D visuals, empowering them to be more engaged in their diagnosis and more accepting of the recommended treatment plan.

Increased practice productivity: 

Capturing the image you need in a single scan, CBCT eliminates the need for stitching multiple images together and potentially losing data quality — while reducing chair time for patients and increasing staff productivity.

Given these advantages, it’s no wonder that practices of all kinds now employ CBCT for their diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient education. The question is: Which CBCT is right for you?

Expanded FOV Allow for Expanded Services

Perhaps one of the most compelling features of CBCT are the multiple fields of view that allow practices to reach and help more patients with expanded services and offerings. In fact, CBCT machines with a wide range of FOV options support a variety of practice types and applications, from general dentistry to implant dentistry, oral surgery or oral pathology, endodontics, orthodontics, TMJ analysis, airway analysis, periodontics, and prosthodontics. If your practice has an interest in offering any of these services in-house, CBCT with multiple FOVs may be the right option.

The more FOV options a CBCT machine supports, the more flexibility your practice has in clinical applications — without having to refer them to an outside specialist. Take a look at this chart for examples.

Making the Right CBCT Investment

The case for adding CBCT to your practice is compelling. But when it comes to your CBCT investment, you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing a system that fits your current needs while supporting your future growth.

Built on proven OP 3D technology trusted by practices worldwide, the new OP 3D LX maximizes the advantages of CBCT. A multimodal imaging platform, the OP 3D LX provides 2D and 3D options to cover a comprehensive range of dental extraoral needs. What truly sets OP 3D LX apart is its versatile FOV options, which range from 5x5 up to 15x20 complete high-resolution scans — the largest on a DEXIS OP 3D platform to date.

With 96 additional customizable FOV options and four resolutions, including endo and low dose modes, OP 3D LX truly is an ideal solution for an array of dental demands — one that’s ready to scale with your practice as it grows and with patient needs as they evolve.

Learn more about OP 3D LX here.

FOV options can be adjusted to offer 96 unique sizes.
Sizes may not be available in all regions.
*optional field of view