There’s a good chance I will need to obtain one or more x-rays of your jaw, teeth or facial skeleton at some point during the diagnostic evaluation (or workup) of your bone loss or missing teeth areas.
3D Cone-Beam CT scans allow me to view bone in a very special way. What most people don't know is that a regular x-ray can only show how "tall" your bone is; it can not show the "width." CT or "CAT" scans allow the width to be determined.
These pictures of a real patient that I treated in my office in Burbank should help. I placed five dental implants in his lower jaw.
So often times a regular x-ray, just doesn't show enough information to safely place a dental implant. Your bone may "look" wide, but only really be just gums!
A regular x-ray is a 2 dimensional image while the jaws and facial skeleton are 3-dimensional structures-therefore, they are unable to provide all the information sometimes required. Often times films (or copies of films) from your previous dentist can be utilized without the need for additional imaging; however, please be aware many times these film images are of inadequate orientation or quality.
When an image has been transferred to paper, critical areas of anatomy cannot always be discerned adequately in order to safely plan. Transferring radiographic data from electronic media to paper can result in significant loss of image resolution and clarity. In these cases a new image in my office is typically obtained.
Each patient and area is very unique. Not all patients need CT scans.
Ramsey A. Amin, D.D.S.
Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology /Implant Dentistry
Burbank, California
http://www.burbankdentalimplants.com
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Can a bone implant be made without having the molar extracted?
Hi Joanne,
Yes, bone grafts can be done around natural teeth to save them.
They can only be done when the molar has a “certain” type of bone defect.
Most bone loss around teeth cannot be treated this way.