One of the major advancements in dentistry has been the
perfection of the devices and techniques for dental implants to replace missing teeth, or
to serve as an anchor for teeth replacements. With these, replacement teeth can be
anchored into the bones of the jaws.
Typically, pan-oral and periapical radiographs are used
to visualize the surgical site. This type of imaging gives only a two dimensional
representation of a site that will have a three dimensional procedure done to it.
Technology now exists that enables you to view a cross-sectional as well as sagittal
slice, of a specified thickness, at the location of the purposed implant site, so that you
can visualize the actual location of the sinuses, the actual cross-sectional shape
of the bone, and the actual location of the mandibular canal.
Both tomograms and CAT scans can be used for cross
sectional implant site imaging. The Tomograph creates a true radiograph, whereas the
CT scan is a computer reconfiguration of digital data. The main advantage of the
Tomograph, however lie in comfort of image production, cost, and of paramount importance,
especially in today's radiation aware environment, radiation dosage.
The tomogram, unlike the CAT scan is done in the
sitting position is an open machine. The cost of a tomogram for this type of series
is considerably less than a CT scan. The amount of X-radiation used for a typical
study is 240 mrad. The CT scan, on the other very large hand, uses
approximately 36,900 mrad!!! (as means of comparison, the average
single dental X-ray uses 140 mrad). To accomplish similar imaging the CAT exposure
uses 154 times more radiation than the typical tomographic
study.
The films produced by the Center can be scanned into
the computer and a file sent to your dentist on a standard computer diskette.
Without the necessity of having the patient in his/her office, you can, on his/her
computer, try digitized images of implants by the manufacturer and size (properly size
adjusted) into the purposed receptor sites. This "try-in" is invaluable
to help the size, angulation and even desirability of location determinations that must be
made.
This service is only available by referral by a
healthcare professional.
