Cone Beam Dental exams are crucial for diagnosing a wide variety of different oral health conditions and determining the best treatment plans to restore your oral health. Part of your oral exam involves a visual inspection of your mouth. However, there are many components of your mouth that we cannot see. One way that we can get an accurate picture of your entire mouth involves the use of cone beam technology.What is Cone Beam Technology?Cone beam technology is a type of computed tomography or CT technology. It is much more advanced than traditional CT scans, CAT scans, and X-rays. The technology is very similar to the technology found in digital X-rays, although the images are more closely related to those produced by a CT scan. A cone-shaped X-ray beam rotates a full circle around your head. As it rotates, it captures a series of images. Once the image is complete, a computer pieces all of the pictures together to create a singular 3D image that is displayed almost instantly on a computer monitor. We are then able to see your bones, soft tissues, joints, sinus cavities, and nerve passageways. The high-quality image allows us to see the smallest details of your mouth so that we can accurately diagnose your issues and provide you with the best treatment plan to optimize your oral health. Uses for Cone BeamsCone beam scans can be used for many different purposes. These include:
How is a Cone Beam Scan Done?A cone beam scan is a very quick, completely painless process. Before your scan, you will be instructed to remove any jewelry, including necklaces and earrings. Hair accessories that contain metal will need to be removed. If you wear glasses or hearing aids, you will also be instructed to remove these as well. Once you are ready, you will be seated at the cone beam machine. You place your chin on the rest, and we make any necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible image. When we are ready to begin, we push a button. It takes less than one minute to complete the scan, but it is important that you remain completely still. Just a few seconds after the completion of your scan, the image appears on our computer screen. Benefits of Cone Beam ScansBenefits of a cone beam scan include
With cone beam technology, we can capture a 3D image of your mouth that shows us the hidden structures of your mouth in incredible detail. This allows us to spot the smallest details so that we can provide you with the most accurate treatment plan possible. Call Harmony Dental at (541) 246-3250 for more information. |
 Office Hours:Mon: 8am – 4:30pm Tue: 8am – 4:30pm Wed: 8am – 4:30pm Thu: 7:30am – 3:30pm Fri: By Appointment |
