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Cone Beam Scanner
At KK Dental Center, we offer our patients the latest treatments using modern technology to get the best results. Instead of using traditional x-rays, which are stagnant and don’t reveal everything underneath the surface, we use a cone beam scanner. This cone beam scanner allows us to take dynamic x-rays, which improve our custom treatment plans and help you maintain optimal oral health and wellness.
What Is It?
A cone beam scanner, also called a dental cone beam, is a piece of x-ray equipment that takes a full image of the head and jaws. It takes less than 20 seconds and creates a complete picture by moving around the head to get angles normally missed with regular x-ray systems.
To get the images, we have you bite down on a disinfected strip to hold your jaws in place. We then move the open, cylindrical scanner around your head to get the angles we need.
Preparation
One of the benefits of using the cone beam scanner is that it requires little to no preparation on your part. All you need to do is not wear jewelry or metal accessories, and tell our staff if you might be pregnant.
Why Use the Cone Beam?
X-rays are an essential component of proper oral healthcare. While our dentist can see inside your mouth during an exam and cleaning, there are other parts that are not visible. In particular, we cannot see inside of your teeth or the alignment of your jaw. So, the cone beam allows us to gather information and diagnosis. Some of the common reasons why we might ask to do x-rays are:
- Surgical planning to treat impacted teeth
- Determining bone structure
- Examining tooth structure
- Accurate placement of dental implants
- Diagnosing TMJ
- Detecting tumors in the jaws or gums
How to Receive Treatment
If you are looking for x-rays done with a cone beam scanner near you, schedule an appointment today at KK Dental Center. Our experienced staff can get a full look at your mouth and assess your overall oral health.
FAQs
Regular dental X-rays provide limited flat images, while cone beam imaging creates a detailed 3D view of the teeth, jawbone, nerves, and surrounding structures. This added detail may help when evaluating complex dental conditions or planning certain procedures more precisely.
Yes, cone beam imaging may help reveal conditions that are difficult to detect during a routine visual exam or on standard X-rays. This can include hidden infections, impacted teeth, bone loss, root fractures, cysts, or changes within the jawbone structure.
During the scan, you remain still while the imaging unit rotates around your head for several seconds. The process is non-invasive and does not involve injections, drilling, or direct contact with the teeth or gums.
Dental implants require careful evaluation of bone height, bone width, and nearby anatomical structures before placement. Cone beam imaging helps the dentist more accurately examine these areas when determining whether implant treatment is appropriate.
Cone beam imaging involves radiation exposure, but the scan is performed only when additional diagnostic detail is needed for treatment planning. Imaging settings are carefully selected to obtain useful images while minimizing unnecessary exposure.
Yes, cone beam scans may help identify complex root anatomy, hidden infection, calcified canals, or fractures that are not always visible on standard dental X-rays. This information may support more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Most patients do not need special preparation before the scan. You may be asked to remove metal objects, such as glasses, earrings, removable appliances, or facial jewelry, because they can interfere with image quality.
The actual imaging process usually takes less than a minute, although positioning and setup may require a few additional minutes. Most patients can resume normal daily activities immediately after the scan is completed.
Yes, cone beam imaging may help evaluate areas where bone shrinkage has developed following tooth loss, trauma, or infection. The scan can provide detailed information about jawbone shape and density before restorative treatment is planned.
Cone beam imaging may be recommended when additional diagnostic or treatment-planning detail is needed. At KK Dental, this technology may be used to evaluate dental implants, impacted teeth, root canal concerns, jawbone conditions, and other complex oral health findings.
