Our new Green 16 CBCT machine at Smile in Style Sunbury

What is a cone beam machine CT machine?

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is used in dental practices to capture a 3D image of a patient’s head and neck. We can then either look through the slices of images or rotate the 3D model on a computer screen to analyse the anatomy. This assists us to more accurately diagnose and treatment plan for our patients.

image of Green 16 CBCT machine

What do we use it for?

Image of cone beam machine
With the 3D data we can:

  1. Plan positioning of dental implants.

With the 3D imaging, we are able to carefully plan the placement of implants. We can position implants in the jaws with care so that the surrounding teeth are not damaged.  We can place implants in the correct position so that we can avoid damage to nerves and sinuses. The 3D image will also show us if there is enough bone to support the implant. We ensure that the implant is positioned so that the connected structure is well supported.  This might be a crown, a bridge, a bar or a denture with attachments. Then we superimpose scans or models of the patient on the cone beam image to design a surgical guide. These guides are used to place on the teeth and transfer the planned implant positioning from the computer, directly to the mouth during surgery. The surgical guide  allows for greater accuracy when placing the implant in the patients jaw.

Implants and any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. We will discuss the risks of the procedure during your consultation as well as examine your health to ensure you are a suitable candidate for implants. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

3D image of patients jaw

  1. Assess patient airways.

A patient’s airways are integral to how they breath and swallow. This in turn has an effect on posture, mental development (IQ), malocclusion development and sleep apnoea or snoring issues. Sleep apnoea can be debilitating.  It can cause accidents, such as falling asleep while driving and may significantly increase the risks of heart attack, stroke, cancer, and premature death.

So our cone beam machine can be a very useful tool to assess our patient’s airways.  We can also use orthodontics to plan treatment for developing children and adults that suffer with snoring and/or sleep apnoea.

image of patient airways

  1. Orthodontic planning.

Our Green 16 cone beam CT unit also comes with the ability to take 2D panoramic and cephalometric radiographs for standard orthodontic planning. These images are of a high quality and are extremely accurate. The 3D imaging is also useful to locate impacted teeth so that we may then use orthodontics to bring the impacted teeth to the surface and align them with the rest of the teeth.

  1. Root canal treatment, bone infections, pathology.

The 3D imagery is an invaluable tool to diagnose and to locate problems in the mouth.  Whether it is locating a root canal in a tooth, or to gauge the location and size of an abscess in the bone, gum or tooth; it is an amazing tool that we can use to plan our treatment more accurately.  As the images are of such a high quality, we can also use the images to explain to our patients why we have chosen a particular treatment plan for them.

 

What is special about the Vatech Green 16 CBCT machine?

We chose the Vatech Green 16 CBCT unit from a range of machines on the market as we were very impressed with the:

  • low radiation exposure to the patient
  • clear and accurate images
  • the large 3D volume of image the machine was capable of producing to enable better diagnosis
  • powerful software that has the ability  to communicate with other dental programs we use to allow better treatment planning
  • user friendly

In keeping with Smile In Style’s business philosophy of using the latest techniques and technologies in dentistry, our Vatech Green 16 CBCT machine is the first unit installed in Victoria and the 7th unit installed in Australia. So please book in for a consolation with Smile In Style so that we can begin to help you with your dental problems.

image of result of Green 16 CBCT machine

 

Back to Home Page


Share this Article




Smile In Style Dental office near Moonee Ponds and Sunbury

Why Choose Smile In Style
For the latest techniques in dentistry

Connect with Smile In Style


Throughout our site, you will find valuable information about our services that will help you get to know us better. It is our mission to create beautiful white healthy smiles using the latest technologies. Our experienced Dentists and staff aim for lifelong relationships with our patients, providing relevant dental education and continual care throughout life. Here, you can learn more about the various dental conditions that may develop and the ways in which we treat them.
Some of the services you can expect to find at Smile in Style include: Our goal is to work together with you to achieve your healthiest, most attractive smile, whilst ensuring your comfort and satisfaction.

Safe Amalgam Removal Protocol

  • Chlorella drink prior is given prior to treatment and a mouth rinse post-treatment. Chlorella can help bind and prevent mercury absorption.
  • Physical protective barriers - Masks, protective coverings, eyewear, in-mouth non-latex dental dams, and other steps are taken to prevent physical contact with mercury for the patient and staff.
  • Oral evacuation - Generous amounts of water are used to continuously rinse particulate matter from the mouth while suctioning it away. Combined with protective dental dams, this prevents patients from swallowing dental amalgam particles during treatment. Additionally, the rinsing helps lower the temperature of the filling, reducing the amount of mercury vapour released.
  • External air - A continuous supply of non-contaminated air or oxygen is delivered via a mask or similar apparatus, preventing inhalation of mercury vapour or particles.
  • "Chunk it out" method - Rather than using a drill to grind the filling down, it is carefully removed in the largest possible pieces, minimising friction, vaporisation.
  • High Volume Evacuation Suction is used by the dental assistant to remove amalgam particles in the mouth.
  • High Volume Air suction and Air Purifiers are used in the clinical room that is able to remove mercury vapour from the room.
  • Amalgam separator use - This device collects mercury-contaminated waste before it can enter the sewage system, allowing us to dispose of it safely.