3DCT Scanner

At Smile Perfections, we are committed to investing in the latest technology. We are one of the few practices in the Leicestershire area to have a 3D CT scanner, which is used for diagnostic purposes and to assist in a range of dental treatments, such as the placement of dental implants.

Many other dental practices in the area refer their patients to us for a CT scan. If you are a dentist who would like to refer a patient to us, please visit our Referring Dentists page and complete the online form.

Dental cone beam CT scanners are compact versions of regular CT scanners used in hospitals. The machine moves in a circular motion around your head and uses a cone-shaped x-ray beam to create 3D cross-sectional images of your teeth and jaws. By using a cone-shaped x-ray beam, the amount of radiation, the time needed for scans and the size of the machine are all greatly reduced.

Dental CT scans provide your dentist with vital information that cannot be obtained with regular x-rays, helping to diagnose a range of conditions and assisting in the placement of dental implants. This is a safe procedure carried out by fully qualified professionals. You will be sitting up during the procedure and will not be placed inside a machine, rather the machine will move around your head. Please be sure to tell your dentist if you are, or think you may be, pregnant, as you would with any procedure involving x-rays.

Reasons you may need a dental CT scan

Placing dental implants

Placing dental implants requires meticulous planning. The 3D scanner gives your dentist a clear view of your jaw bone, bone shape and bone density, meaning that the placement of your implants will be precisely planned before surgery, avoiding any nerves or nasty surprises. It also helps to check that you have enough bone to support dental implants, or if you require a bone graft or sinus lift.

Bone grafts and sinus lifts

If you require a bone graft or sinus lift, a CT scan may be used to assess your current bone density, and/or to explore the anatomy of your sinus cavity. This will enable us to check that you are suitable for a sinus lift and to plan the procedure carefully.

Impacted teeth

A CT scan may be necessary if you have an impacted wisdom tooth. The scan gives a clear view of the tooth and any surrounding structures prior to extraction.

Root canal treatment

A CT scan can help give a clearer view of the root canal, making treatment planning safer and easier.

Orthodontics

A single 3D scan can help with the diagnosis and treatment of a range of orthodontic conditions, enabling us to see both jaws together.

For more information regarding this treatment