Advantages to 3D Scanning

Lafayette and Louisville patients of Coal Creek Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center get to experience something a bit more detailed than traditional dental X-rays: 3D Scanning.

Lafayette specialist Dr. Curt Hayes explains how the revolutionary diagnostic tool allows his practice to provide the most detailed, efficient, and gentle services to the patients that they deserve.

An Inside Look at the Mouth

With conventional X-rays, dentists only have a two-dimensional view of the teeth, jaws, and surrounding oral anatomy. But if you’re trying to weigh your options or consider alternatives to treatment, X-rays can limit the information available during diagnostic and treatment planning stages of patient care.

Fortunately, with 3D scanning, Lafayette patients can view a three-dimensional virtual replica of their mouth, including all of the structures that lay around their teeth (such as nerves, sinus cavities, etc.)

When would something like this be needed? One example is for non-traditional dental implant treatments. With 3D imaging resources, Dr. Hayes can locate the best area and position for the implant to be installed.

More Accurate and Efficient Surgery

Computer-generated surgical guides are another added advantage of 3D scanning. Using digital models of the mouth allows for a special tool to be created that makes it possible to install implants in a specific location, saving valuable time and increasing overall quality of the procedure. As a result, the surgery takes less time to perform and is consequently much more comfortable for our patients.

If there’s lack of bone support that makes implant placement more detailed, having the 3D images and guide maximizes the resources of the patient’s individual anatomy. Additional surgeries such as bone grafting or sinus lifts can be minimized.

Faster Recovery Time

One of the biggest concerns of Lafayette oral surgery patients is their recovery time. After all, additional time away from work or being unable to manage other responsibilities adds into the “cost” of surgeries like dental implants, wisdom tooth removal, etc.

Fortunately, 3D scanning makes oral surgery the least invasive as possible. Better accuracy means less irritation to any surrounding structures near the surgical site. As a result, there’s less swelling and consequently less pain. Combined with Dr. Curt Hayes’ implementation of better medication management tools (which are completely opioid-free), our Lafayette patients experience the least discomfort possible, so they can get back to their normal routine quicker than ever.

Getting Your 3D Scan: What to Expect

If you’ve ever had a full-mouth panoramic/panorex X-ray taken, then getting a 3D scan is quite similar. The machine resembles a panorex, in that it circles around your head as you stand or sit very still. Using CBCT technology, the equipment catches 3D data rather than 2D. In less than a minute, your scan will be complete!

When to Get a 3D Scan

3D scans come in useful for a number of situations, including jaw surgery, TMJ therapy, wisdom tooth removal, and dental implant placement, among others. For the most precise care possible, see a specialist like Dr. Curt Hayes at Coal Creek Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center in Lafayette!