Many dentists continued to practice their profession without those first films that showed the inside of the human body, but soon dentists realized that utilizing the best information available resulted in the best service to and the best result for their patients.
The necessity to use the best diagnostic tools is as valid now as it was then, and 3D imaging is as important an upgrade to dentists in 2010 as 2D radiographs were to dentists in 1910.In addition to being a necessity, quality imaging, such as digital intraoral and digital panoramic radiology and Cone Beam scanning technology, has brought even more opportunities for professional excellence and growth.
As an assistant clinical professor in Periodontics & Implant at N.Y.U., I’ve experienced the many facets of technology. Having referred my patients for medical CT scans for many years, my patients’ dental experiences were disrupted by long waits and indifferent service. I was fortunate to discover that my film panorex could be eliminated, and a Cone Beam machine with a 2D panoramic feature was reasonably priced and would fit in the same small space.
I use these machines predominantly for implant-related cases so that I can identify crucial structures. Of utmost importance to me, the GXCB-500, or the “500,” exposes my patients to less radiation than other 2D and 3D options. This leaves my patients and me very comfortable, as its 2D radiation measures 80% less than an FMX, and its 3D emits up to 10 times less radiation than a medical CT scan.
This medium-field-of-view 3D unit is ideal for virtually all services I render and provides the details that I need for successful treatment. I have recently used it midsurgery during an implant placement. The scan revealed a residual root that was undetectable on the prior 2D image and allowed me to complete the procedure successfully.
The software that accompanies the “500” allows me to share information easily with my colleagues, and that is an added bonus, important both from a practice management and a therapeutic viewpoint. I can also display the images on every office computer, enlarge or zoom in on images, and slice the 3D images in any direction, which result in a higher diagnostic capability and greater patient understanding of their condition.
The “500” has markedly increased case acceptance, and patients who come in for consultations and second opinions realize they do not need to look further to decide where they want to be treated. I strongly believe that we should use all tools that enable us to provide the best service possible to our patients. Patients want their dentist to have all of the facts before they begin treatment. They don’t want to hear, “I think we can do it,” or “The nerve shouldn’t be a problem, but you could be numb forever.” If a member of your family were considering treatment, you would want the most precise diagnostic information available before commencing treatment. I want that for my family, and our patients deserve no less.