SPECIAL ISSUE 3D imaging for everyday dentistry A special issue of Dental Practice Success sponsored by Planmeca A Exploring the benefits of CBCT technology for the general dentist considers CBCT to be an adjunct to standard oral imaging modalities. Most guidelines advise first reviewing the patient’s health and imaging history while conducting a thorough clinical examination. After assessing these, the clinician should be able to justify whether the benefits of CBCT imaging will outweigh any risks associated with exposing the patient to additional ionizing radiation, which does have a cumulative affect over one’s lifetime. This issue of Dental Practice Success presents clinical cases from three practitioners who say that using ultra low dose CBCT imaging provides a significant improvement in the ability to diagnose conditions that have not been observable using traditional two-dimensional (2D) radiographs. More importantly, with Planmeca Ultra Low Dose technology, these dentists use 3D imaging without hesitation, knowing their effective patient dose in many cases is equivalent to and often less than 2D intraoral imaging with far greater, more accurate diagnostic information. F lthough radiograph technology has been used for more than 120 years, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was introduced less than 20 years ago. Today, CBCT has become an important diagnostic tool in dentistry, particularly in implant treatment planning, oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics and orthodontics. General dentists who provide these and related services are beginning to use CBCT units in increasing numbers. A benefit of CBCT three-dimensional (3D) imaging is the ability to capture the dentition, soft tissues, nerve pathways and facial bones all in one scan. This allows dentists to capture a comprehensive baseline record and to virtually plan a variety of dental treatments. The American Dental Association, along with other organizations, has established basic principles and professional guidelines for incorporating CBCT technology into the patient appointment (see Page 10). The ADA IN THIS ISSUE Gaining a patient's trust .................. 3 Obtaining a better view of pathology ........... 5 Radiology milestones ..... 6 Saving a teenager's teeth and facial esthetics ............................ 7 ADA advisory statement excerpts on CBCT use in dentistry ............. 10 Join us on Facebook American Dental Association Follow us on Twitter @ADANews Dental Practice Success is a quarterly digital newsletter from ADA Publishing. Contact DPS@ADA.org; 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 Supplement to ADA News Dental Practice Success