Dear Imaging Insider,
The evaluation of buccal bone can be difficult as panoramic or periapical images may underestimate the amount of bone available. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) units can be useful for making an accurate diagnosis, but is any particular system on the market more accurate? Find out in our Insider Exclusive.
Also new in the Imaging Community is an article about a recent study that found that emergency physicians overuse conventional CT scans to rule out dangerous dental infections in patients. The findings suggest that risk factors identified in a patient's history and a physical examination can still accurately diagnosis higher-risk infections without putting patients at risk for unnecessary radiation. It's important to note, though, this study evaluated the use of big, conventional CT scanners in hospitals, not CBCT machines, which are more regularly used in dental offices.
Spring is a time for change and renewal, and dental products are no exception. Major dental companies debuted digital scanners at flagship tradeshows, including the International Dental Show in Cologne, Germany, and the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting. Some of the new imaging products include the following:
- 3Shape announced a new Trios intraoral scanner, the Trios 4.
- Dentsply Sirona launched an intraoral scanner that can take full-jaw digital impressions.
- MouthWatch and DNTLworks Equipment rolled out a fully equipped mobile teledentistry cart.
- Air Techniques introduced two digital imaging products, a digital radiography system and an interproximal camera head.
- Acteon announced a new scanner with 24 panoramic and 32 CBCT options.
If you're thinking about adding an imaging product to your practice this year, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before making the purchase. Digital dentistry expert Christien Kopas has a list of questions designed to help you analyze your practice's needs and figure out whether an intraoral scanner or 3D printer could be a good investment.
