Why Endodontists Use 3-D CBCT Imaging to Diagnose and Treat Tooth Pain
If you have a toothache that disrupts your daily life, you may not know where to turn. You may call your family dentist, who takes 2-D digital X-rays and determines that you need an endodontist to diagnose further and treat your condition.
One of the top reasons why general and family dentists refer their patients to Archway Endodontics is that we use advanced imaging equipment. These machines help us determine exactly what is happening beneath your gumline and inside your teeth that is causing your discomfort. We also have the tools to address these issues with procedures like root canals and apical surgery, allowing you to rest comfortably.
What CBCT Stands For and How it Works
CBCT is an acronym that stands for Cone Beam Computed Tomography. A 3-D CBCT scanner uses a focused beam of X-ray radiation in the shape of a cone. The scanner is mounted on a standing frame so it can move in a circle around your head, taking a complete 3-D image that allows your endodontist to understand your oral anatomy and detect trouble spots that need prompt treatment.
Reasons Why We Use 3-D CBCT Imaging
When we use a CBCT scanner, we can see 3-D images of your teeth, not merely a flat cross-section as your family dentist can see with a standard 2-D digital X-ray. The CBCT scanner provides a complete 360-degree view, allowing us to assess all aspects of your teeth and jaw bone, as well as the intricacies of your unique root canal system within your tooth, all in great detail. The cone beam scanner penetrates the teeth and bone, detecting infections that need treatment.
How 3-D CBCT Imaging Helps Us Treat Your Toothache
When we have a complete 3-D view of your oral structures, we can spot the source of your discomfort and formulate a plan to stop it in its tracks. We find CBCT scans invaluable in planning procedures and ensuring we remove all of the infected material, making repeat procedures less likely.
After we take the 3-D scan, we use it in partnership with standard digital X-rays to pinpoint the treatment area. We also use sophisticated endodontic microscopes to ensure we remove all traces of infected material from the tooth’s crown and deep inside the root canal system.
Procedures Where We Use 3-D CBCT Scanning
We use this advanced technology to aid treatment in nearly all of our procedures:
- Root canals
- Endodontic retreatment
- Apicoectomy (apical surgery)
- Cracked teeth assessment
- Assessing oral trauma
Find Relief for Your Dental Discomfort Today
If you need an endodontic procedure, don’t put it off. Delaying an endodontic procedure could bring on severe consequences, including the spread of the infection and eventual tooth loss. Call right away to schedule a consultation with Archway Endodontics and protect your healthy smile for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Endodontics
Are 3-D CBCT scanners safe for patients?
Digital CBCT scans produce less radiation than the film X-rays you may remember from decades past. We ensure that we take only necessary scans and protect you from any possible radiation effects.
Can a root canal treat any severe toothache?
Severe toothaches can happen for multiple reasons. Pain caused by periodontal disease, TMJ, or occlusion needs other treatment options, which is why an accurate diagnosis is key to a successful resolution. If the pulp inside the tooth has become infected or inflamed, your two options are root canal treatment or extraction.
Is it better to have endodontic treatment or extract the tooth?
When a tooth can be predictably saved, root canal treatment offers several important advantages over extraction followed by replacement with a dental implant or bridge. Root canal treatment can often restore a tooth to full function in less time, allowing patients to return to normal chewing without the additional healing and restorative steps required after extraction. It is also generally less expensive to restore a natural tooth with a root canal and crown than to extract the tooth and replace it with an implant or bridge. Perhaps most importantly, preserving the natural tooth helps maintain the surrounding jawbone and the natural architecture of the mouth. A tooth that has been treated and restored is also typically easier to keep clean and maintain than an implant or bridge, making preservation of the natural tooth an attractive option for both short- and long-term oral health.
Is it normal to feel some discomfort after an endodontic procedure?
It may take a few days for your tooth to heal, meaning you could experience slight discomfort. Over-the-counter medication should be sufficient to treat it, but if you continue to feel pain, call us.
Why does my tooth hurt years after I had a root canal?
Most root canals last for many years without issues. Some root canal-treated teeth even last a lifetime. If you experience pain, your tooth could have become reinfected. Reinfection means that you may need endodontic retreatment or, in some cases, apical surgery.
At Archway Endodontics, we specialize in procedures that restore your comfort and your oral health. We use the most advanced equipment available to make your procedure comfortable and efficient. Please contact us to schedule a consultation today.
