In the past, implant surgeons relied mainly on traditional dental x-rays to diagnose their patients for implant surgery. This limited the ability to determine the bone dimensions and visualize surrounding anatomy. We still use dental x-rays as they show detailed images of the teeth and bone around the implants after they are placed and during surgery. At North Shore Smile dentistry we also use three-dimensional imaging to diagnose your upper and lower jaw for implant options. This eliminates some of the guesswork involved in determining what parts of the jawbone offer the best sites for dental implant placement. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) allows us to visualize the jaw three-dimensionally but is faster and safer than a conventional medical CT scan. A much lower dose of radiation is used, but you still will need to wear a lead apron for protection.
In both our dentistry locations, we use the Plameca 3D CBCT which offers extremely high resolution with low measured dosage. The three-dimensional images appear almost immediately on the computer screen and allow us to diagnose your jaws to determine if there is adequate bone to place implants. We can take very accurate measurements and also virtually place images of dental implants into the jaws.
Visit one of our dental clinics in West Vancouver or North Vancouver. Our dentist can tell you what is best for your situation. Our goal is to provide personalized dental services that meet your specific needs. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or would like more information.
This technology is superior to regular dental x-rays and helps us better plan your treatment.