cone beam CE

cone beam1_2012 industry _ Imaging Sciences I Fig. 2_Axial with buccolingual and mesiodistal cross-sectional views (i-CAT Precise scan in Tx STUDIO). Fig. 3_Clinical control with flexible scan sizes (8 cm x 8 cm shown) plus collimation (i-CAT Precise scan in Tx STUDIO). capabilitiesmakesthepractitioner’sjoblessstressful when“preparingforsurgerysuchasextractingteeth and placing immediate implants alone or with third- party planning and stent creation software.” Dr. Justin Moody noted that implant placement software cuts down on the time his patients must spend in the operatory, an advantage for both the clinician and the patient. “I can treatment plan any case with just a few clicks of the mouse, and the 3-D image allows me to plan my surgery in advance, sig- nificantly cutting down on the amount of chair time needed. With my Tx STUDIO™ software, I now have the ability to place virtual implants into my 3-D im- age,alongwithabutmentsandrestorations,showing the patient exactly what I plan to do.” Moody added that understanding the process makes patients more compliant and directly affects the longevity of the implant. He said that his cone- beam system, i-CAT, is compatible with all leading surgicalguideproviders,includingAnatomage® ,No- belGuide® andothers,givinghimthechoicetochoose the implant that is needed for the specific instance. Control over radiation dosage and scan settings gives clinicians the ability to tailor each scan to the patient. Through advancements in software and collimation technology, in-office cone-beam 3-D machines can “expose patients to minimal radiation, especiallyincomparisontomedicalgradeCTsthatwe have used in the past,” said Guttenberg. Orthodontist Dr. Juan-Carlos Quintero noted, “SinceIhavehadmyCBCT,theresultsofmakingeven the simplest treatment decisions based on anatomic truth, finally, have been increasingly surprising. It comes down to the difference between estimating and knowing.” Regarding radiation risks, he added, “The recent position statement issued on December 13, 2011, by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine [AAPM] on radiation risks from medical imaging procedures, hopefully will put much of the unnecessary and unfounded hysteria to rest, at least for the scientifically inquisitive mind.” Hesaidthatwiththeimagingdose,especiallytak- ing into account the opportunity to capture scans in as few as 4.8 seconds, makes concerns “superfluous …thelevelsaresolow,almostnonexistent,compared to the 50,000–100,000 microsievert levels that the AAPMmarksasbeginningcauseforconcern.”Moody concurred:“Collimationandtheabilitytocontrolthe doseisreallyimportanttomeasIonlywanttoexpose the patient to a minimum of radiation while giving myself the very best diagnostic information. i-CAT provides that for me.” For diagnosis, planning and treatment imple- mentation, cone-beam scanning provides the many elements of an efficient implant planning process —fromsurgicalaccuracytocommunicationwithre- ferringcolleaguesandpatients.Guttenbergsummed up by saying, “When weighing the benefits and the risks,3-Dscanningvirtuallyalwayscomesoutonthe positive side of benefits in regards to patient care.”_ I 47 Fig. 3 Fig. 2