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ePaper created 2014-12-05, 15:38:45 | version 1.33.01
_Since its commercial introduction into den- tistry in 2001, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been rapidly evolving into a new stan- dard of care in maxillofacial imaging. In just over a decade, CBCT has exploded onto the dental land- scape and permitted dental professionals a degree of three-dimensional (3-D) anatomic truth in maxillofacial imaging previously unavailable and unattainable. Like many other new technologies, which have progressed from the extraordinary to the ordinary and thus gained acceptance by pro- fessionals and patients, CBCT has advanced from exceptional use to almost commonplace use in dentistry as cost decreases, access to the technol- ogy increases, and potential adverse patient inter- action (i.e. radiation exposure) is attenuated. Today, CBCT is seen by many in dentistry as the standard operating procedure for many dental implant, orthognathic, orthodontic, or endodontic cases. The advancement of CBCT in dentistry has caughttheattentionofmanufacturersofradiolog- ical equipment. In 2001, only one company sold a CBCT system. In 2014 there are at least 20 com - panies selling CBCT machines and technology. Henry Schein, a leading distributor of dental equip- ment has seen CBCT sales expand from 5 % of their digital imaging sales to almost 50 % of digital imaging sales in the last five years. CBCT has also been recognised by general den- tists and specialists as a means by which they can separate, identify, and distinguish their practices as beingonthevanguardoftechnologyinpatientcare. Today’spatientsexpecttheirdentistandphysicians to be contemporary with technology and services. CBCT provides the doctor with a technology, which not only has significant advantages in treating pa- tientsbutalsohasanoteworthy“wow”factorasthe 3-D images are seen on a large screen in “real time” for the doctor and patient to view. CBCT,likeplainfilmradiographicstudies,maybe considered a revenue generator for a practice. The more a CBCT machine is utilised, the more revenue it will generate. Additionally, the owner may allow others in the profession to utilise the machine for a fee, thereby reducing his overall cost of operation. Standard of care is a legal not a medical or dental concept. Standards of care are constantly evolvingasmethodsandtechniquesinpatientcare improve. An appropriate definition for standard of care may include such language as: the dentist is under duty to use that degree of skill and care which is expected of a reasonably competent and prudent dentist under the same or similar circum- stances. Standards of care may be local, regional or national. 06 I I opinion _ CBCT in dental office cone beam4_2014 Cone Beam Computed Tomography: Is dentistry ready for a new standard of care? Author_Dr Lee M. Whitesides, USA Photo:RobertKneschke CBE0414_06-11_Whitesides 28.11.14 11:55 Seite 1 CBE0414_06-11_Whitesides 28.11.1411:55 Seite 1