What Is a CBCT Machine and Why Do We Use it?

One of the most important factors to consider when looking for an implant dentist is the technology they use. Keeping up with innovations in dentistry is what sets an implant dentist apart from the rest. At Fine Dental Care, our dentists are dedicated to constantly continuing their education so that they can serve the Wayne, NJ, community with the best care possible! When replacing missing teeth with dental implants, we use the innovative CBCT machine to provide high-quality outcomes for patients like you. But what is a CBCT, and why do we use it?

What Is a CBCT?

Cone Beam Computed Tomography, or CBCT, refers to an advanced X-ray imaging system that we use in dentistry.

This machine rotates around your head, taking comprehensive scans of your smile. Then, using innovative digital technology, it compiles these images into a detailed, 3D X-ray of your mouth!

With this X-ray, we are able to assess your jawbone quality and determine if you’re eligible for dental implant placement. Because these titanium screws secure into your jaw to anchor restorations, they require ample bone structure. However, not everyone has enough jawbone to support dental implants, as tooth loss often results in jawbone deterioration.

Using a CBCT, we evaluate your bone to determine if your jaw can support a dental implant. If not, we provide additional procedures to rebuild bone! Once you’re eligible for dental implants, we then use this digital 3D image to plan your implant placement. With this advanced technology, we can strategically place your dental implants in the optimal position.

The Dental Implant Process

Conventional dental implants are large in diameter, around 5 mm on average.

To place these implants, we use a surgical procedure that involves creating an incision in your gums. Then, using a series of drills increasing in size, we create a hole in your bone big enough to secure dental implants.

After carefully screwing your implant body in place, we stitch up the incision to facilitate healing. This healing period typically lasts 3 to 6 months, as your implant gradually bonds to your jawbone through a process known as osseointegration.

Once secure, we’ll reopen the incision and place the abutment, or connector piece that attaches the restoration to your implant. After a brief healing period, we will secure your final crown, bridge, or denture to restore your smile!

However, before even considering dental implant placement, we provide patients with a free consultation. This appointment is when we utilize our CBCT machine to assess your jawbone. Unfortunately, many patients can’t make it past this stage, as they’re not eligible for conventional dental implants due to jawbone loss.

The Mini Implant Process

Thankfully, Fine Dental Care offers mini dental implants, the smaller and sleeker alternative! These implants secure into minimal bone, allowing patients to restore their smiles often without the need for additional procedures.

The process is simple and provides numerous advantages for implant patients. These advantages include:

• Minimally invasive procedure: Instead of creating an incision and using large drills, mini implants require only a small pilot hole in your jaw. Then, we carefully screw the implant in place, where it becomes instantly stable enough to support a temporary restoration!
• Quicker healing time: Because mini implants are minimally invasive, they don’t disturb as much of the surrounding bone and gum tissues upon placement. This facilitates much faster healing, allowing mini implants to fully secure in your jaw within a few weeks.
• One-piece system: Unlike conventional dental implants, which consist of an implant body and an abutment, mini implants are a single piece. This allows us to place your implant in a single appointment with no healing period between parts.
• Less expensive treatment: With only one placement appointment necessary, fewer components to pay for, and often no additional procedure, mini dental implants are almost half the cost of their conventional counterparts!

Trust Fine Dental Care and Our CBCT for Advanced Dental Care!

Using a CBCT machine is essential to ensure that your jawbone is healthy enough to secure dental implants. With this advanced 3D imaging, we can assess your bone and plan your implant placement. At Fine Dental Care, we utilize CBCT in our innovative approach to dental implant placement because you deserve the best of the best!

Book a free implant consultation today to experience CBCT technology for yourself and to learn if you’re eligible for dental implants.

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