The Benefits of 3D Digital Volume Tomography
Normal x-rays used to give a decent overview of the condition of our teeth. However, modern three-dimensional images show the teeth and jaw as they really are under the tissue. They offer a completely new level of detail that allow for reliable and precise diagnosis of teeth problems.
What is DVT?
Digital volume tomography (DVT) is a new technology for the realistic representation of the jaw and the teeth.The three-dimensional image provides much more detailed images than a conventional dental x-ray. Using a 3D DVTimage, the bone can be accurately measured and cross sections of the jaw viewed clearly.
What are the benefits of 3D DVT x-ray?
The three-dimensional image produced by DVT technologyhas two major advantages: a distortion-free and superimposition-free representation of individual structures and the representation of cross-sections. In the past, only one image of the jaw could be shown from the side. How wide the jawbone was at a certain point and whether the root of the wisdom tooth runs around the mandibular nerve on the left or right could not be assessed on conventional images. However, this information is of immense importance in implantology and maxillofacial surgery. Therefore, DVT technology has revolutionized both fields of dentistry.
How does it work?
A DVT works similar to computer tomography (CT), but uses a cone shaped beam instead of the spiral or disk technique. This makes it possible to display the entire jaw with just one exposure of the radiation source and thus save approx. 90% of the X-ray dose with the same image quality. A CBCT image therefore has hardly any more radiation exposure than a normal panoramic X-ray image.The computer uses the image data to calculate the three-dimensional image, which is also very easy to understand for laypeople.
DVT for dental implants
The width of the jaw cannot be assessed with the old X-ray techniques such as the panorama technique. As a result, before an implant operation, it cannot be determined whether the jawbone is wide enough for a dental implant and whether the mandibular nerve is far enough away.With the 3D X-ray, dental implants can be virtually planned and placed using a navigation system – for more precision and more safety.
DVT for wisdom teeth
With a 3D image, the position of the wisdom teeth can be precisely assessed before the operation. This means that there are no nasty surprises when removing the wisdom teeth, because the surgeon knows exactly how the wisdom teeth are located in the jawbone. In particular, the relationship to dangerous anatomical structures such as the maxillary sinus or the mandibular nerve can be shown precisely – for your safety.
