Dentist of Bixby Knolls is always on the cutting edge of technology, and that is true even of our imaging technology. 3D imaging technologies provide high-quality images that can make your care faster, better, and more comfortable. We use a variety of these technologies to provide better care to our patients in the North Long Beach and Bixby Knolls area. Here are just a few of them.
X-rays are a vital part of dental care. They allow your provider to see the parts of the tooth that are not visible, such as the interior layers, the roots of the tooth, and the bones around it. This allows earlier and better diagnosis of dental problems such as tooth decay. The sooner you catch a developing problem, the easier it is to treat.
Dentist of Bixby Knolls has switched from traditional film-based x-rays to digital x-rays. These are taken using digital sensors that provide high-resolution images that can be enhanced and manipulated on a computer to give your dentist a better understanding of what is going on inside your mouth. This is not possible with traditional x-rays.
Digital x-rays are stored electronically and are thus more portable. They also use less radiation and are more environmentally friendly than traditional x-rays.
A panoramic x-ray is a specific type of x-ray that is taken using a machine that travels around your head and from side to side to produce a 3D, digital x-ray of your teeth, jawbones, and even your sinuses. It provides a complete picture of everything inside your mouth that can affect your oral health.
This type of x-ray is especially valuable for use with certain types of dental treatments, such as dental implants, wisdom tooth extractions, and malocclusion issues. Panoramic x-rays are also used for diagnosing cysts and tumors. They are quick and easy to take, only requiring you to stand still briefly.
An intraoral scanner takes pictures intraorally -that is, inside your mouth -and transmits them to a computer where they can be viewed by your dentist. These 3D images help diagnose problems. Digital intraoral scanners are also used to custom design dental restorations, such as crowns, and Invisalign® clear aligners.
Using intraoral scanners to design these devices improves their fit and reduces the chances of a high bite or new decay.
The images taken by an intraoral scanner can also be sent electronically to other dentists, dental labs, your doctor, and your insurance company.
Computed Tomography Scanners, also known as CT or CAT scanners, create some of the most detailed images of the interior of the human body available. This is as true of your teeth and jawbones as it is of your lungs. Dentist of Bixby Knolls has a dental CT scanner that takes 3D images of your head and neck. Your dentist will be able to see not only your teeth and jawbones but your sinuses and even your nerves.
Why is this important? It might be important for several reasons. It can help your dentist determine if you are a candidate for dental implants, for example, and if so, where the ideal positions to place the implant posts in your jaw are. It is also essential to get these images before certain surgical procedures, such as bone grafts.
Dental CT scans are also useful in orthodontic care. The images produced by the scanner will let your orthodontist see how your teeth, jawbones, and skull all relate to one another. This information is then used to determine the best orthodontic treatment(s) to help you achieve the straight and beautiful smile you want.
Call Dentist of Bixby Knolls at (562) 287-5175 and make an appointment today!
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