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iCAT ct scanner

What is a Dental CT Scan?

What is a Dental CT Scan?

Dental CT Scans use advanced computer programs to analyse an X-ray study. By providing detailed two-dimensional and three-dimensional images, Dental CT Scans enable your dentist to select the best location for your implants and plan the details of your surgery with pinpoint accuracy, well before the operation.

How does a Dental CT Scan differ from conventional X-rays?

Routine dental x-rays are two-dimensional; they only show the location of your teeth and the height of the bone. These x-rays are often distorted, and they cannot depict the thickness of your jawbone.

A Dental CT Scan, on the other hand, is distortion free. It illustrates the actual make-up of the bone and provides three-dimensional and cross-sectional views of your jaws. The life-sized images allow your dentist to accurately measure the amount of bone that is available for implants.

So why do I need such a specialised X-ray?

Dental CT Scans help your dentist determine whether you are a good candidate for implant surgery. This can save you an unnecessary operation. Because the study tells your dentist a lot more than conventional x-rays, it helps him or her better prepare for your surgery. A Dental CT Scan means your dentist will know the exact location of anatomical structures, the contours of the jaw bone, and the best sites for your implants before surgery. This means that there are virtually no surprises when your dentist performs your surgery. That means less operating time, and fewer complications for you. By sending you for this type of study your dentist is providing you with the very best possible care.

Do I need to do anything special? And what will happen to me during the CT scan?

You do not need to prepare for the CT scan. You may be asked to remove any jewellery from your head and neck, so that it does not interfere with the study. Once in the examination room, all that you have to do is to rest face up on the CT scanner bed. Your head will be comfortably cushioned on a padded cradle, and a velcro strap will hold your head so that it remains still.

Keeping still for those few minutes that the scan takes, is very important so that clear pictures are obtained. Your dentist may provide you with a mouthpiece to bite on; this will separate your jaws and help you to keep them still. The rest is even easier. The bed will slide through the CT scanner and the study will take place. The radiographer/dentist will explain each stage before it happens. You will not feel anything and the only part of your body under the scanner will be your head. In less than 10 minutes you will be finished.

What about the radiation aspects?

There has been considerable publicity recently regarding the radiation doses received for a number of medical procedures. At Clyde Detnal Practice we are constantly update our training to ensure that our protocols are designed to keep radiation doses to a minimum.

The radiation dose received varies from patient to patient but is typically in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mSv. To put this in perspective, everyone in the UK receives about 2.2 mSv annually from natural background radiation, so an CDP Dental Scan corresponds to less than an additional 3 months of natural background radiation.

How much will it cost?

Depending on what your dentist requires the cost will vary from a minimum of £290 - £350. This is payable on the day unless arrangements have been made with your referring Dentisit.