Dentistry is always changing, adopting new technologies and techniques which align, strengthen, protect, and improve the look of teeth. And that’s not all. The better understanding your dentist has of the state of your teeth, the better able they are to diagnose underlying issues, spot early signs of gum disease and other concerns, and help you maintain a high level of dental hygiene.
This is where dental imaging comes in.
Used by dentists to support structural work and dental hygienist investigations, dental imaging is a diagnostic tool that can help with diagnosis, treatment planning, and results mapping. Here’s how it works…
The Role of Technology in Modern Dentistry
The better technology we have at our disposal, the better equipped we are to develop comprehensive and effective treatment plans for our patients, crucially, without invasive diagnostic treatments and services. Imaging allows us to capture up-to-date insight into the formation of a patient’s teeth and jawline, spotting underlying causes of pain or malocclusion, and tracking the movement of teeth over time.
3D images can be captured using our Sirona Orthophos SL 3D scanning equipment with Panoral, DPT and CBCT capacity, all of which create a full 3D outline of the patient’s mouth on the screen, showing dental trauma, abnormalities, impactions, and the position of teeth.
What this technology does, in essence, is give us more information to work with when diagnosing dental issues and planning dental treatment.
What is Dental Imaging Used For?
With the benefits of dental imaging stretching from diagnosis and treatment planning to patient convenience, comfort, and peace of mind, the suite of uses for dental imaging technology is huge.
Some of the issues that dental scans and imaging can be used for include orthodontic diagnosis, surgical planning, the precise placement of dental implants, examining bone structure and tooth placement, locating and diagnosing pain, and mapping the movement of teeth.
It’s also worth noting that dental imaging does not expose patients to the same levels of radiation as a traditional CT scan, and that the process is completely non-invasive with no associated pain or discomfort. This means it’s a safe option for dental investigation to inform structural and dental hygiene treatment, with no side effects.
What to Expect From a Dental Imaging Appointment
Dental imaging will be recommended by your dentist if and when you need it. The process itself involves being seated in the imaging machine, with your head being positioned for maximum exposure to the imaging equipment. Whilst the preparation and moving everything into place can take a few minutes, the scan itself should take less than a minute to perform, during which time you will be asked to refrain from talking, swallowing or moving your jaw at all.
To find out more about dental imaging, its plethora of uses, and to secure your next dental appointment, get in touch with our Essex dentists today.
