What Is a CBCT and How Does It Help With Dentistry?

In this video, Dr. Aaron Bratton explains how advanced 3D imaging technology enhances diagnosis and treatment planning, particularly for mini dental implants. If you’re considering implants or want a more precise dental evaluation, schedule a free consultation at Atkins Dental Clinic today.

Anyone who has visited a dental office has likely had X-rays taken. These may include small, uncomfortable films placed inside the mouth, known as bite-wing X-rays. Alternatively, you may have stood in a hallway while a large machine rotated around your head to capture an image. Depending on your dentist’s technology, you may have seen your X-ray displayed as a traditional film, which can look unfamiliar or even alien-like when first viewed.

At our office, we use an advanced imaging system that functions similarly to the panoramic X-ray machine but captures images in three dimensions. It takes X-rays from multiple angles—side to side, top to bottom, and front to back—combining them into a 3D image. This allows us to examine hard tissue in detail and even visualize soft tissue structures, including the airway and sinuses. The system is so precise that it can detect sinus infections.

With this technology, it’s as if I can hold a detailed, three-dimensional model of your skull on my screen and rotate it in all directions to identify issues. I have used it to find cracked teeth and hidden abscesses. If you are considering mini dental implants, this tool helps determine the best bone placement for optimal results. It is an invaluable resource, and I am grateful to have it as part of my diagnostic toolkit.

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