If your dentist tells you that some 3D x-rays need to be taken your first thought might be "is the situation that bad". The second will likely be "will it hurt". 3D x-ray might sound like something from a science fiction film, but is actually becoming quite a common system in hospitals and even in smaller clinics. It is actually a very good thing for you that they want 3D images and here's why.
3D images make diagnosing certain dental problems much easier and help the dentist a lot in avoiding problematic areas during operations. 3D images can for example help the dentist in spotting nerves and working around them when planning an operation. This can save the patient from a lot of trouble.
Taking a 3D x-ray is not a lot different from a normal digital panoramic x-ray which means it's fast and convenient for the patient. There's no pain or discomfort other than having to sit still a minute or so and the pictures are available for the dentist fast which can potentially even save you from an extra visit to the dentist's office, assuming of course that the dentist has a 3D imaging system at the clinic.
3D images are also a lot easier to understand especially for people who are not professionals. For you as the patient it is a lot easier to see what the images represent since you don't have to understand how to interpret the information in 2D images and are instead shown a reproduction of your teeth which can be viewed from different angles. The dentist can also easily visualize the problem points and show you what he or she is going to do, which helps you in realizing the necessity of the operation. This way you actually know what is happening and can better appreciate the treatment and the work the dentist is doing for your health.
A thrilling possibility in the future is the possibility for the dentists to actually manufacture the surgical guides themselves using 3D printing technology. Adapting this technology to dentist's use could in some cases make it possible for implants to be done on very tight schedules, in extreme cases even on a single visit. This would require for the technology to mature quite a bit, but with the development rates of both 3D imaging and printing it might happen in the not-too-distant future.
If you are interested about the topic, please visit this site: http://www.soredex.com/en/product/cranex-3d/
3D images make diagnosing certain dental problems much easier and help the dentist a lot in avoiding problematic areas during operations. 3D images can for example help the dentist in spotting nerves and working around them when planning an operation. This can save the patient from a lot of trouble.
Taking a 3D x-ray is not a lot different from a normal digital panoramic x-ray which means it's fast and convenient for the patient. There's no pain or discomfort other than having to sit still a minute or so and the pictures are available for the dentist fast which can potentially even save you from an extra visit to the dentist's office, assuming of course that the dentist has a 3D imaging system at the clinic.
3D images are also a lot easier to understand especially for people who are not professionals. For you as the patient it is a lot easier to see what the images represent since you don't have to understand how to interpret the information in 2D images and are instead shown a reproduction of your teeth which can be viewed from different angles. The dentist can also easily visualize the problem points and show you what he or she is going to do, which helps you in realizing the necessity of the operation. This way you actually know what is happening and can better appreciate the treatment and the work the dentist is doing for your health.
A thrilling possibility in the future is the possibility for the dentists to actually manufacture the surgical guides themselves using 3D printing technology. Adapting this technology to dentist's use could in some cases make it possible for implants to be done on very tight schedules, in extreme cases even on a single visit. This would require for the technology to mature quite a bit, but with the development rates of both 3D imaging and printing it might happen in the not-too-distant future.
If you are interested about the topic, please visit this site: http://www.soredex.com/en/product/cranex-3d/