Last Updated on April 3, 2019 by Guest Post

In past decades, orthodontists were completely dependent on hands-on oral exams and mouth molds to create a patient’s treatment plan. However, with the invention of 3D X-rays in orthodontics, today’s orthodontist can actually see your mouth as it is with the use of X-ray technology! Your orthodontist can use this 3D computer model to examine your orthodontic treatment. He or she can see from every angle and choose the approach that is best for your individual needs and goals. For orthodontic specialists today, this makes 3D X-ray technology a real industry “game changer.”

What Does “3D X-ray Technology” Mean?

The term “3D” stands for “3-dimensional radiograph technology.” The first time you see a 3D image of your own mouth is definitely a moment to remember! In the dental and orthodontic field, this 3D X-ray technology is called Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). The cone beam X-ray wave is what enables you to see your mouth and each tooth the way it actually appears – as if you stuck your head inside your own mouth and took a look around.

The cone beam takes an image of each tooth and your whole jaw, upper and lower, from every angle. According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the use of the cone-shaped X-ray is what allows the X-ray to capture height, width and depth and reflect it back to you on the X-ray. Once the image is captured, you can see your own anatomy in three dimensions. This is for your teeth, mouth, jaw and even the surrounding structures like your neck, ears, nose and throat!

This comprehensive and complete picture of your neck, face, jaw and teeth is what helps today’s orthodontists closely customize your orthodontic treatment plan to your individual oral health needs and appearance goals.

How Are 3D X-Rays Used in Orthodontics?

Orthodontists are using 3D X-ray technology in many exciting ways to shorten treatment times and enhance treatment results. One single scan using CBCT technology can be used to create multiple treatment plan scenarios to identify the one that achieves the best results in the shortest time period. Use of this new 3D technology reduces patient expense and discomfort as well as exposure to radiation. The scans can be used in place of plaster mouth models in some cases, which reduces expense and treatment delays.

Having three-dimensional mouth images to work from also helps orthodontists to identify hidden oral health issues. Then work to correct them as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Use of these 3D images can project far in advance how narrow airways, misaligned jaw joints, overly crowded teeth and malocclusions will be affected by different treatment approaches.

Will Young Patients Sit Still for 3D X-Rays?

Many young patients, like children and teens, love to play smartphone games and video games. Teens in particular often seem like they are permanently glued to smartphones, tablets, and laptops! 3D X-ray technology is cutting-edge science applied to orthodontic treatment. This is the way of the future and some of the same technology is used to create the 3D images they see in their favorite video games, apps, and programs!

The coolest thing about 3D X-ray technology is that it takes only seconds to capture, is totally painless and creates a memorable image of the patient’s own mouth to marvel at. Once your child or teen understands how cool this 3D technology really is, chances are good they will happily sit still for the few seconds it takes to snap a picture of their mouth that will help explain the treatment they are about to receive.

Is 3D X-Ray Technology Safe?

Parents are often less enthused about the “coolness factor” of 3D technology than about how much safer it is. The truth is, 3D technology can be captured in a single image, unlike 2D technology, which takes multiple images of the teeth and mouth from several angles. This takes more time and requires more radiation because each image requires a small burst of radiation to capture. With 3D X-rays, only one image is taken and it includes every angle of every tooth and the jaw and entire mouth. This is much safer for the patient and easier on the parent’s budget!

Are 3D X-Ray Images Shareable?

For some patients, it is necessary for your orthodontist to work with an orthognathic surgeon or another specialist to design the right treatment plan. This can be especially true if the patient has had trauma to the area. Also, things like a cleft palate or sleep apnea or is experiencing airway obstruction or recurrent respiratory infections.

3D images are easy to capture and share. Rather than the multiple images required with 2D X-rays, there is just one single comprehensive image to share with other treatment professionals. This makes designing an integrated treatment plan easy and error-free.

What Is It Like to Get 3D X-Rays Done?

For patients who have experienced the old 2D X-rays, they are often reluctant to have more X-rays done. This is because of those uncomfortable little cardboard squares you have to bite down on. 3D X-rays don’t require any cardboard squares! There is just one image, snapped in 10 seconds or less, and that is all you have to do!

About Beach Braces

Dr. Patricia J. Panucci, D.M.D., M.S. is the founder and medical director of Beach Braces, located in beautiful Manhattan Beach, CA. Dr. Panucci fell in love with orthodontics at an early age, so it was no surprise when she graduated Top 10 in her class at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry.

Today, Dr. Panucci treats patients of all ages using the latest cutting-edge orthodontic science to reduce treatment times and exceed patient goals. Her additional master’s degree in craniofacial biology gives Dr. Panucci the expertise to treat children, teens, and adults for optimal appearance and health outcomes.

Contact us today because everyone should love to smile

BEACH BRACES ORTHODONTICS 
220 N. Aviation Blvd. Suite A
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Phone: (310) 379-0006
Fax: (310) 379-7051

The [Orthodontic] future is in 3D X-Rays

Dr Patricia Panucci

Dr Patti Panucci attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry for four years, where she graduated with a DMD degree (May 2000) among the Top 10 in her class. Following that, she headed west to Los Angeles to complete her three-year residency at one of the top-ranked orthodontic programs in the country – the University of Southern California.

Along with her certificate in orthodontics, Dr. Panucci earned a master’s degree in craniofacial biology. During those three years, she fell in love with Southern California beach life and decided that this was where her future lay.