Oral & Maxillofacial Imaging Center

More about our Imaging Services

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  Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

  CBCT provides valuable information to dentists in many diagnostic tasks because it provides the third dimension that is missing from conventional dental radiographs.  This permits the dentist to evaluate not only the height and mesial-distal dimension in the jaws, but also the facial-lingual aspect that is essential in planning implant placement.  It also permits an examination of the bony components of the temporomandibular joint without the problems of distortion and superimposition or other structures. 

  CBCT is similar to conventional computed tomography (CT).  But in many ways, CBCT is superior to CT:

  • The radiation dose is much lower: The effective dose to the patient receiving a CBCT is approximately equal to a full mouth intraoral radiographic series or a combination of a panoramic and 4 bitewing radiographs.
  • The scan time is usually 9 seconds: This compares favorably to the much longer scan times involved with CT.
  • The spatial resolution is better: With smaller voxels than in most CT scans, the CBCT image provides better detail of bony structures.
  • CBCT is more comfortable:  The patient sits upright in an open environment with our CBCT scanner, unlike the confining “tube” of the hospital CT.
  • CBCT is performed and interpreted by dentists: We know what you are looking for when you refer your patients to our facility.  By comparison, CT is a medical procedure for medical needs, interpreted by physicians.  If you have questions, just call us and we can address them.
  • Appointments can be made at convenient times: We can usually accommodate your patients within a week of the patient’s phone call requesting an appointment. 

  We provide written reports for all CBCT scans along with reformatted radiographs of the areas of interest. We can also create a CD with the entire scan data and viewing software upon request.   

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  Orthodontic Radiographs

  The Imaging Center provides planar skull projections for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. We offer posterior-anterior and lateral cephalometric radiographs, panoramic projections, and hand-wrist images (if needed), as well as other skull projections such as Waters and Reverse Towne radiographs. All projections are made with a direct digital radiographic system for excellent spatial and contrast resolution.