While X-Rays can provide a two-dimensional image of each part of your mouth, it is sometimes necessary to get an enhanced three-dimensional view of your teeth and gums. In such situations our dentists use various advanced imaging techniques to accurately visualize and diagnose the problem.
One such technique is the use of an intra oral camera, a small, pen-shaped handpiece with a small camera on the end that enables out dentists to capture detailed images of the inside of your mouth. A small fiber-optic light illuminates the area of your mouth while a digital camera transmits the images to a screen right in our treatment room. This allows your dentist to see small details that may be missed with the unaided eye. This state-of-the-art digital technology also creates a digital file of the images that can be easily sent to specialists, insurance companies, and other healthcare providers as needed.
Another less frequently used advanced imaging technology is the dental cone beam CT. This type of CT scanner uses a special type of technology to generate three dimensional (3-D) images of dental structures, soft tissues, nerve paths and bone in a single scan. Images obtained with cone beam CT allow for more precise treatment planning. It is performed to evaluate diseases of the jaws, teeth, bony structures of the face, nasal cavity and sinuses.
