The Advantages of Large FOV CBCT in General Practice
Digital dentistry has been gaining widespread adoption in recent years, and this shift has been driving the demand for dental Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) due to its ability to provide high-quality 3D images that can be easily integrated into digital workflows. These scans offer detailed and precise information about dental structures, bone quality, and anatomical features, which can aid in improved diagnosis and treatment planning.
The global dental CBCT market size was USD 1034 million in 2021 & the market is expected to reach USD 2375 million in 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period.(Source: Business Research Insights)
These 3D images can be seamlessly integrated into digital workflows, allowing dentists to utilize advanced software and tools for accurate treatment planning, simulation, and virtual surgical guides. This integration of dental CBCT into digital dentistry workflows enables dentists to visualize complex cases, evaluate different treatment options, and optimize treatment plans for better patient outcomes.
According to type, the market can be segmented into large FOV, medium FOV. Large FOV is expected to be the top part of type segmentation. (Source: Business Research Insights)
Among these advancements, the large field of view (FOV) CBCT stands out as a game-changer. This piece explores the multifaceted advantages of incorporating large FOV CBCT into general practice, emphasizing its role in elevating diagnostic precision and patient care.
What is Large FOV CBCT?
The 'large FOV' refers to the size of the area that the CBCT can capture in one scan. This is crucial for obtaining a comprehensive overview of a patient's anatomy in a single image, particularly beneficial for complex diagnostic challenges.
Typically, a field of view (FOV) of 15 cm x 15 cm or larger is considered a large FOV for CBCT. This size can capture from the jaw to the orbital region, providing a comprehensive overview of the patient's oral and maxillofacial structures.
Benefits for General Practitioners
The benefits of a large FOV CBCT for general dentists are numerous, ranging from enhanced diagnostic capabilities and time savings to an improved patient experience, all of which contribute to more effective and efficient dental care.
Enhanced Diagnostic Capabilities:
A large FOV CBCT scan captures the entire oral and maxillofacial region, allowing dentists to assess dental structures, the jaw, TMJ, sinus areas, and nasal cavity in one scan. This comprehensive view aids in diagnosing conditions like temporomandibular joint disorders, complex fractures, and dental pathologies, reducing diagnostic uncertainty and aiding in early detection of diseases such as cysts, tumors, and systemic illnesses.
Improved Patient Management:
The detailed imagery from a large FOV CBCT scan is crucial for treatment planning in orthodontics, implantology, and reconstructive surgery. It provides comprehensive anatomical insight, enabling GPs to plan more effective and precise treatment strategies, ensuring less invasive procedures and enhancing treatment success.
Time Efficiency:
Traditional imaging methods might require multiple scans to cover large areas, whereas large FOV CBCT captures extensive areas in a single scan. This efficiency is beneficial for both the practitioner and the patient, leading to quicker diagnosis and treatment planning.
Lower Radiation Dose:
Despite its extensive coverage, CBCT exposes patients to lower radiation compared to traditional CT scans. If you have a stitch-free large FOV CBCT, radiation exposure can be further minimized. Stitching involves scanning patients twice and overlapping the images, leading to unnecessary radiation exposure and potential image distortion.
Cost-Effectiveness:
By providing comprehensive diagnostic information in a single scan, large FOV CBCT can eliminate the need for multiple diagnostic tests, saving resources and reducing the overall cost burden on the healthcare system. Additionally, it supports multi-disciplinary collaboration by offering a detailed overview for specialist referrals, enabling collaborative patient care among healthcare professionals.
The integration of large FOV CBCT in general practice is a significant stride in medical imaging. Its comprehensive, detailed imaging capabilities, combined with time efficiency and reduced radiation exposure, present a substantial improvement in diagnostic and treatment planning processes. As this technology continues to advance, it holds the potential to redefine standard practices in dentistry, leading to better patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare services.
Key Considerations When Purchasing a CBCT
We’ve explored why large FOV CBCT systems are essential for general practitioners, but making this significant investment requires careful consideration to ensure it’s worth the expense. To make an informed decision and maximize the value of your purchase, it's crucial to evaluate several key factors when selecting a CBCT system.
What should you look for to ensure you get the most out of your investment?
Stitch-free Scanning
A large FOV CBCT with stitch-free scanning ensures accuracy and reliability. Stitching, which involves scanning patients twice and overlapping images, leads to unnecessary radiation exposure and potential image distortion. Opting for stitch-free scanning enhances image quality and patient safety.
High Image quality
High-quality CBCT scans capture large sections of both hard and soft tissue regions in one go, providing detailed and clinically relevant images. This capability is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.
Visible X-ray Guide
A patented, radiation-free visible X-ray guide prominently indicates the scan area, ensuring convenience and safety. This feature helps both practitioners and patients by clearly showing the targeted scanning region without additional radiation exposure.
Impression Scan
Look for a CBCT system that incorporates innovative 3D scanning technology for impression scanning. This feature digitizes physical impressions and gypsum models, capturing data that can be used to generate STL files required for CAD/CAM applications. This capability enhances the precision and efficiency of dental restorations and other procedures.
Customer Support
Consider the level of customer support offered by the manufacturer. For instance, Ray America's advanced IoT system, RAYGuard, provides 24/7 monitoring of installed X-ray units. This minimizes the need for multiple visits to resolve issues, ensuring more efficient and effective support.
Wireless Remote
A wireless remote control enhances ease of use for healthcare professionals. This feature allows effortless operation of the CBCT system, enabling practitioners to focus on treatment outcomes rather than technical adjustments.
Warranty
A robust warranty is crucial. Look for a CBCT system that offers a long-term warranty, such as a 10-year coverage, to ensure reliability and peace of mind. This warranty period indicates the manufacturer's confidence in the product's durability and performance.
Recommended CBCTs
RAYPreMiere is an 18x16 cost-efficient large FOV CBCT. It captures both nasion and glabella, spanning from chin to forehead with a freely adjustable FOV. Its reconstruction time is 22 seconds, allowing for quick review of CT images and dramatically cutting down on chair time.
RAYSCAN S is the premium 20x20 FOV CBCT. The scan covers from the top of the head down to the neck. If your specialty is OMS or ortho, RAYSCAN S is strongly recommended due to its extensive coverage and high-quality imaging.
RAYSCAN Alpha Plus is a flexible option for those not yet convinced about investing in a large FOV CBCT. This affordable CBCT’s FOV starts from 8x8 and can be upgraded up to 16x10. You can start with a smaller FOV and purchase the upgrade whenever you want.
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