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Cone Beam in the Dental Laboratory: Taking Implant Services to New Heights

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Cone Beam in the Dental Laboratory: Taking Implant Services to New HeightsCone beam computed tomography (CBCT)—a new generation of CT technology— made its debut in implant dentistry at the beginning of this decade. Providing a true, three dimensional reproduction of the patient’s anatomy, cone beam CT scans are becoming the optimum tool for implant treatment planning,allowing the dental team to precisely analyze bone density, see anatomical interferences and use measurements that correspond exactly to the patient’s anatomy. As a result, CBCT machines have started appearing in dental radiology centers and even in some dentists’ and specialists’ offices around the country.

Now, they’re also appearing in a more unexpected place: dental laboratories. A few innovative laboratory owners with long histories in implantology have opted to install CBCT machines to scan patients in-house, knowing the impact this advanced diagnostic tool could have on implant planning.“When I first saw cone beam images four years ago, they just ‘wowed’ me. It motivated me to adopt this technology to provide a better alternative for implant diagnostics,” says Andy Jakson, owner of Evolution Lab in Buffalo, New York, who purchased an Iluma Elite CBCT machine nine months ago.

Having the CBCT in the laboratory allows these owners to offer their dentist-clients one-stop shopping for implant cases. Aside from the prosthetics themselves, the labs can handle every step of implant planning, including the study models, radiographic template fabrication and CBCT scan. Then, they can incorporate the digital images (called DICOM files) into implant planning software to plan the case and produce a surgical guide that’s extremely accurate with regard to implant position, angulation, diameter and depth.

Of course, offering these diagnostic services is possible without having the scanner in the lab. Patients can get the CBCT scan at a dental radiology lab or a specialist’s office and have the DICOM files forwarded to the laboratory. But these laboratory owners say that having the scanner in-house means they know they will get exactly what they need. “Many radiographic labs, even dental ones, are not always well-versed on what’s needed for implant planning and are more used to doing scans for orthodontic treatment or to check for airway obstructions. I’ve even had patients who were scanned without the radiographic template in place,” says Mark Jackson, RDT, vice president and co-owner, Precision Ceramics, Montclair, California, who purchased the Iluma Elite six months ago. “But when local clients send their patients here, I’ll fabricate the correct radiographic template and take the scan and know that we have all of the data we need.” Jackson also has a complete operatory and plasma TV on the wall so dentist-clients can go to the laboratory toplan the case, even with the patient in the chair.

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DENTISTS

Precision Ceramics takes pride in fabricating quality laboratory products and services, delivered consistently, ON TIME and to your specifications.

CBCT SCAN

On-site Cone Beam CT scanner, complete radiographic services, implant planning assistance and surgical guide fabrication.

LABORATORIES

Ceramic copings & frameworks, implant services, and removable prosthetics. All delivered FAST, with expert technical support and strict quality control.

VETERINARIANS

25 years experience providing a full range of veterinary dental laboratory services, including orthodontic appliances, crowns and custom fabricated implants.