ABOUT SUNSHINE IMAGING
Sunshine Imaging provides state of the art CBCT scanning services that refocus on craniofacial imaging. Our imaging center was created to offer Cone-Beam Volumetric scans to the patients and doctors in our area. We service general dentists, periodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, endodontists, prosthodontists, and orthodontists.
Our Facility is equipped with NewTom VG Cone-Beam technology. The NewTom VG is an upright scanning system with no fixed seating, so it is available to all patients. The radiation dose of the NewTom Safe-Beam Technology is adjusted according to the patient’s size and age, so the exposure is the least possible to the patient.
CBCT images are comparable to medical Cat Scans, at a fraction of the radiation exposure and with greater accuracy. Cone-beam provides valuable diagnostic information that is not available in conventional 2-dimensional x-rays. Unlike traditional x-rays, which are about the teeth, CBCT discriminates between many types of tissue, including bone, teeth, nerves, and soft tissue. Cone-Beam Volumetric Imaging allows the dentist to see their patient’s anatomy in a way that simply cannot be seen in traditional films.
ABOUT CONE-BEAM TECHNOLOGY
Cone Beam Volumetric Imaging, which was available in Europe in 1999, was introduced in the United States in 2001. It is a relatively new imaging technology that generates a 3D volume of image data. Using a cone-beam shaped x-ray beam rather than the linear fan beam of conventional CT’s a CBVI scanner takes just one revolution around the patient to capture these multiplanar views. With imaging software, the data may be reconstructed to render 3D views that can be manipulated to show different angles, varying depths, thicknesses and be selective for certain tissues. The dose of radiation needed for a CBCT is much lower than for a conventional CT. In addition, volumetric imaging results in fewer artifacts from metallic restorations and is very cost efficient to the patient.
BENFITS OF CBCT VS. CONVENTIONAL X-RAYS
Cone Beam Scans offer countless advantages over conventional dental x-rays. Most of these advantages stem from the fact that these scans are three-dimensional as opposed to conventional x-rays that only offer two-dimensional views. From a single CBCT study, limitless views may be generated with software that can capture images from different angles, at different depths and that are selective for different tissues. These images may be used as true 1:1 views or enlarged for closer examination.