Dental Implants Dentistry Blog

Dental CT Scans and Bone Width For Implants - Burbank Implant Expert Explains

There’s a good chance I will need to obtain one or more x-rays of your jaw, teeth or facial skeleton at some point during the diagnostic evaluation (or workup) of your bone loss or missing teeth areas.

3D Cone-Beam CT scans allow me to view  bone in a very special way.  What most people don't know is that a regular x-ray can only show how "tall" your bone is; it can not show the "width."  CT or "CAT" scans allow the width to be determined.

These pictures of a real patient that I treated in my office in Burbank should help.  I placed five dental implants in his lower jaw.

 
 
So often times a regular x-ray, just doesn't show enough information to safely place a dental implant.  Your bone may "look" wide, but only really be just gums! 

A regular x-ray is a 2 dimensional image while the jaws and facial skeleton are 3-dimensional structures-therefore, they are unable to provide all the information sometimes required. Often times films (or copies of films) from your previous dentist can be utilized without the need for additional imaging; however, please be aware many times these film images are of inadequate orientation or quality.

When an image has been transferred to paper, critical areas of anatomy cannot always be discerned adequately in order to safely plan. Transferring radiographic data from electronic media to paper can result in significant loss of image resolution and clarity. In these cases a new image in my office is typically obtained.

Each patient and area is very unique.  Not all patients need CT scans.

Ramsey A. Amin, D.D.S.
Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology /Implant Dentistry
Burbank, California
http://www.burbankdentalimplants.com

Dental Implant CT Scan Video

The power of interactive CT cone beam scans in implant dentistry is amazing!

It allows me to plan the surgery in advance.  I can see things that I could never see with traditional x-rays. This man from Glendale, California was missing all of his teeth and wore regular dentures.

The CT (CAT) scan allowed the patient and I to really appreciate the bone loss he had suffered due to missing his teeth for so long. A cone beam CT scan exposes you to minimal radiation and maximizes safety.

Four dental implants were placed and an overdenture made for the bottom jaw.  He has been thrilled. Even with his bone as thin as it looks, a bone graft was NOT needed due to planning with a CT scan. He said the bad breath he use to have is much better since the denture does not lift anymore.

CT Scans For Dental Implants

CT Scans are sometimes called "cat scans"

CT scans are often used when having implants that are more complex. A ct scan allows me to see your jaw in 3-D.  The machine used to take the image allows the CT scan to be taken while you sit upright in about 20 seconds.

Regular x-rays are great, but have limitations. I can only see two dimensions. I cannot tell how wide your bone is. I can only tell how tall it is. Looking at the width of the bone in the mouth is inaccurate for areas where the bone is small since the overlying gums may be thick.

The biggest advantage to ct scans is the ability to do "virtual surgery." that means I do surgery on the computer before I ever even touch your mouth! The ct shows the important anatomy, sinuses, nerves and arteries thereby improving greatly safety. Often times I transfer the surgery from the computer to your mouth with special positioning guides.

These pictures are some samples of surgery on the computer.