IMPACTED TEETH
With CBCT, it has become very easy to determine where an impacted tooth is located in relation to the rest of the dentition. Traditionally, many different types of x-rays were needed to localize an impacted tooth in relation to the adjacent teeth. Although the films were able to identify whether the tooth was buccal or lingual, it was still impossible to measure exactly how far away the impacted crown was to the roots of the other teeth.
With CBCT, the diagnosis becomes a simple visual exercise, with the images showing exactly the location of the entire dentition, even the impacted teeth. The inclination of the teeth, direction of eruption, and completion of root formation is shown. The CBCT software can also measure exactly how far in the bone the impacted tooth is positioned, and can accurately determine the distance to the closest root structure.
CBCT diagnosis makes the recovery of these teeth much easier for orthodontists and oral surgeons. Orthodontists use this extensive information in devising the best biomechanics and vectors to bring the impacted teeth into the dental arch. Oral surgeons, knowing exactly where the tooth is located, can minimize the amount of bone drilling needed to access the crown of the teeth and avoid damage to adjacent proximal root structures. Below is a comparison of conventional 2-D x-rays versus 3-D CBCT data images :
CASE # 1
1) Are the canines buccally or lingually impacted?
2) How far away are the crowns of the canines from the roots of the lateral incisors?
Conventional 2D X-rays : |
Conventional 2D X-rays :
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New 3-D Cone beam CT Technology :A much easier and more visual method of localizing impacted teeth
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CBCT Example #2 - Visualization of an Impacted Maxillary Incisor and Canine
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