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Find Out Why 3D Imaging Is Vital to Your Mouth’s Health

Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi Blog Find Out Why 3D Imaging Is Vital to Your Mouth’s Health
Find Out Why 3D Imaging Is Vital to Your Mouth’s Health

You may be accustomed to having dental X-rays taken as part of your regular dental checkups, but you may not be familiar with 3D imaging. Here, we take a look at the differences between the two types of dental imaging and explore the benefits of 3D imaging. 

At Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi in Flowood, Mississippi, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Michael Nichols and his staff often see patients with complex dental care needs. He uses the i-Cat system to diagnose problems and precisely treat them. 

How 3D dental imaging works

Dental cone beam computed tomography (CT) is the technical name for the type of equipment we use to take 3D images in our office.

The i-Cat system is a specialized X-ray machine that produces much more detailed images of your teeth, the soft tissues in your mouth, the pathways of your nerves, and your bones — all in one scan. 

Although cone beam CT scans expose you to more radiation than a regular dental X-ray, the levels are still safe, and the information the scans provide may be crucial to your treatment. 

Having an i-Cat scan at Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi is painless, causes no side effects, and gives Dr. Nichols a detailed picture of your specific oral issue. 

Why you might need a 3D scan

Reasons that Dr. Nichols may want a 3D image of your mouth include: 

The bottom line is that anytime Dr. Nichols needs a clear, precise image of the structures in your oral cavity, face, or jaw, a 3D image can help.

If you’re scheduled to undergo surgery, you certainly want your surgeon to know as much as possible before your procedure. Similarly, if you have an undiagnosed dental problem that’s causing you pain, more information is better. 

Another reason you may need an i-Cat scan rather than a traditional X-ray is to allow Dr. Nichols to consult with other providers, such as your primary care doctor, regular dentist, or another specialist. 

Personalized, tailored care

At Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi, our staff provides care tailored to your unique needs. With 3D imaging, we ensure Dr. Nichols understands as much as possible about those needs. 

If you have questions or concerns about i-Cat scans, call us today to schedule an appointment.

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