Cone Beam CT for Implants: Should I Be Worried?
Susan asks:
Recently, I read an article in the NY Times about the overuse of Cone Beam CT in dentistry and the potential danger. I've read alot on this site and others about the necessity of getting a Cone Beam CT for dental implants. But, now I am worried after reading the New York Times article. Should I be? Is a Cone Beam CT safe for me (by the way I am 52 years old) and is it really important for implants? Can I do without it? Thanks.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not medical advice. The use of the Web Site is at your own risk. >>Read More
- Cone Beam CT for Dental Implants: Is This Necessary?
- Radiation Exposure from Cone Beam CT: Should I Worry?
Topics
Implants for Dummies
Do you feel like a dummy when it comes to dental implants? Don't worry. We can help. Below are popular posts for those just starting out with implants.
Featured Local Doctor
Dental Implants Advice
-
There is a wide range of fees charged for dental implants, and it changes according to the...
-
I have found 2 mini implants to be inadequate for denture function/retention(4 would be better...
-
Mini implants can be successful when used properly.
The standard protocol for mini... -
Hi
Mini implants overall have high rate of failure and are not as stable as conventional...
-
Successful implants are fused to the bone in a process called osseointegration. If your implant...
Cone Beam CT for Implants: Should I Be Worried?
Dear Susan,
The benefits that are gained from a Cone Beam CT for dental implant placement far outweigh the minimal radiation exposure a patient receives. The NYT article was stressing concerns over exposure to children when Cone Beam CT's are used for orthodontics.
In my practice I do not place an implant without a Cone beam CT, as every area requires it for correct and safe implant placement.
The actual radiation levels a Cone Beam CT exposes a patient to, is slightly more than what a patient receives with annual dental x rays. This is not to be compared to a hospital based CT which is many times more.
This article I wrote might help clarify things for you:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/webgen_einsteinwebsites/public/assets/6485/In_Of...
Michael Tischler, DDS
Dr. Michael Tischler
http://www.tischlerdental.com/
Is Volumetric Cone beam CT safe?
Dear Susan:
The use of radiation in medicine and dentistry should always be done judiciously.
Most of what I can tell you has already been said in the many posts in Osseonews and you have read many of them.
Cone beam CT will give you a 3 dimensional view that allows the implant surgeon to accurately measure and plan the case so the procedure goes smoother and there are no surprises.
A full series of xrays was done routinely every few years, but a cone beam scan is done maybe once or twice in your lifetime for implants.
As a final testimony, if it was me or a member of my family having implants, I would like the surgeon to have a cone beam CT scan to plan the surgery.
Good luck!
Carlos A. Boudet, DDS, DICOI
http://boudetdds.com/
Cone beam ct fears
Susan,
The Times article referred mostly to full head preliminary orthodontic exams for children. Orthodontists sometimes use cbct to plan treatment. While I'm sure there is a benefit to this, I'm not sure that every kid needs one for braces.
Now, ALARA is a concept created to help us make these decisions. It stands for As Low As Resonably Achieveable. This means that we should use as little radiation as possible. I have a kodak 9000 cbct in my office. It is a small field of view machine. The radiation exposure of one small scan is similar to a few basic dental X-rays. Compared to a traditional cat scan which could amount to hundreds or even thousands of times that.
With dental implants, I think the benefits outweigh the risks almost always. The images allow me to see the nerve, position of sinus, and other sensitive structures. I can be more predictable and improve results as well with it's use. It's safer and I would recommend it to my family. That's the rule I use!
There are many different machines out there and you may have a choice. My advice is to request a referral to a machine with the most limited field of view necessary for treatment.
Good luck!
Benjamin D. Oppenheimer, DDS
http://www.drmdi.com
Cone beam CT for dental implants
Hello,
Yes. I am aware of the articles. The fact is CT scan, when appropriate and justified to use, is absolutely safe. There are not studies to demonstrate adverse effects from periodic dental X-rays or CT scans.
CT scans allow us to treatment plan implant surgery much more accurately and safer and are critical part of great success for many situations. It is not absolutely necessary in every patient having dental implants, therefore its use and rational should be discussed by the surgeon.
All the best,
Dr. Kazemi
Dr. H. Ryan Kazemi
http://www.facialart.com/
CBCT Question
Hi Susan -
The NY Times article raised the interest of people around the world regarding the use of CT and CBCT... as previously stated, the article was supposed to be focused on children, but went beyond that, and unfortunately maybe to the point of confusion for patients.
Two dimensional x-rays, the ones that we normally have taken by dentists to evaluate for cavities or decay, are highly diagnostic for that purpose. When we are going to address dental implants, or related procedures, it is really important to visualize the three dimensional bone anatomy as well as adjacent vital structures. While the NY Times article stated that CBCT is relatively new - it has been around for about 20 years... but recently adopted by a large number of clinicians during the past 8 years or so. As was stated by other clinicians who were quoted in the NY Times article, I have been an advocate of 3-D imaging technology for more than 20 years, and would not perform dental implants without this most valuable tool. It helps us to see things that we could not see otherwise, and takes the guesswork out of the equation. The benefits of CBCT far outweigh any risks that CBCT may have. Hope this helps!
Scott D. Ganz, DMD
www.drganz.com
Dr. Scott Ganz
Cone Beam
It is a difficult question to answer generically. If the implant is being placed in an area where there is adequate bone as demonstrated clinically and via two dimensional radiographs AND, there are no critical nerves or sinus in close proximity to the proposed implant site, then it may be prudent to proceed without a Cone Beam. If there is a critical nerve, sinus or a question of the adequacy of the bone, then I would recommend a Cone Beam study, without question.
Dr. Jeffrey Brook
http://www.periowellness.com/
Post new comment