Dental Cone Beam CT – Waco, TX

Why Choose Heart of Texas Smiles for Dental Cone Beam Scans?

• Advanced diagnosis
• Quick and painless scanning process
• Precise treatment planning

What Is the Dental Cone Beam CT?

The CBCT machine is essentially an advanced X-ray machine. In fact, the two tools use the same type of radiation to give dentists a look at things that are impossible to see with the naked eye. However, there is a huge difference between CBCT scans and typical X-rays. A normal X-ray produces just a two-dimensional image. A CBCT scanner uses a cone-shaped beam of radiation to produce countless images, which then get assembled into a highly detailed, three-dimensional representation of the inner workings of a patient’s oral anatomy.

How Does the Technology Work?

The patient experience with a CBCT scanner is simple, quick, and painless. Your dentist or hygienist will position you in the machine, and you will stand very still during the scan. Depending on how large of an area is being scanned, you might be in the machine for a few seconds, or as long as 40 seconds. Once the scan is complete, your dentist will have immediate access to the results.

What Are Some Common Uses of the Technology?

While we routinely take X-rays of our patients’ teeth and jaws, we reserve the CBCT scanner for specific purposes. For example, if you have a severe toothache and we suspect that you need root canal therapy, we will take a CBCT scan so we can diagnose the reason for your pain and plan your treatment. The machine is also a vital part of the dental implant process. It helps us to plan precisely where we will insert the implants and anticipate any potential challenges that might affect how we carry out the procedure.

Benefits as a Teaching Tool

We want our patients to be well-informed about their oral health, which is why we do more than just explain aspects of dentistry to you. We can take you on a “field trip” to our CT room, where we’ll show you the results of your scan. Armed with that information, you will be in the best position to make wise decisions about your treatment.

Is the Cone Beam Scanner Covered by Insurance?

Whether your scan is covered by your insurance will depend on the specifics of your policy. If the scan is considered a medically necessary part of your treatment, it is likely that either your dental or medical benefit will cover it. Our team are experts at handling insurance, and we will help you get as much as possible out of your coverage.