CT Cone Beam Digital Radiographs

Cone beam CT (CBCT) scanners

Cone beam CT (CBCT) scanners offer a biologically attuned perspective of the intricate dental and craniofacial landscape. Instead of viewing teeth and bones as isolated structures, these three-dimensional images illustrate how they are integrated within a living system of nerves, blood vessels, soft tissues, and complex biomechanical relationships. This holistic approach helps clinicians appreciate subtle variations in anatomy, including those critical for identifying complex root canal issues, enabling more precise, patient-centered decisions that consider both structural integrity and overall biological harmony. As a result, CBCT technology not only enhances diagnostic clarity but also encourages treatments that respect and support the natural balance within the human oral and maxillofacial environment.

This technology is critical in examining teeth and root canals from all angles. With it, the Doctor is able to detect hidden infections, cracks, or anatomical anomalies that might not appear on 2D X-rays. It also helps identify cavitations, oral infections, abscesses, and bone loss with greater accuracy.

Digital radiographs

Digital radiographs (x-rays) are an important diagnostic tool for dental professionals. While traditional film radiographs provide critical insight into the oral and physical health of the patient, hi-tech digital radiographs allow dentists to view and enhance dental images on a large computer screen.

Dentists can also copy or print digital radiographs with ease. This allows for effective comparison of new results to previous images and insight on how treatments have impacted dental conditions. If the dentist refers the patient to a specialist, digital radiographs can be transmitted via computer – eliminating the need for a second set of x-rays in most cases.

Why Use Digital Radiographs?

One of the most significant advantages of utilizing digital radiographs is reduction of radiation exposure. Digital radiographs also eliminate the use of film and required chemicals for processing, making the overall procedure much less harmful to the environment.

The larger computer screen used to display digital radiographs allows dentists to view any problems or irregularities with added clarity. The potential for early detection of decay or periodontal problems and reducing complicated conditions later is vastly increased.

Here are some of the main conditions that digital radiographs can better expose:

• Small areas of decay
• Bone recession
• Tumors
• Fractures and trauma
• Positioning of the teeth
• Developmental irregularities
• Tooth positioning

Nobody Likes X-Rays!!!

Although nobody enjoys x-rays, they're of the utmost importance to both traditional and biological dentistry. X-rays equip Dr. Butler with the tools necessary to give a thorough and proper diagnosis. This allows her to locate problem areas that cannot possibly be seen by the naked eye.

In order to combat any negative health ramifications due to x-rays, we take pride in offering the most state of the art digital equipment to minimize radiation exposure. A digital x-ray allows the dentist to take an image of the tooth or teeth and put it into an imaging program. Within this imaging program, there are a number of tools that will allow the dentist to take a very close look at the teeth and surrounding structures with amazing accuracy. As a benefit to the patient, the digital x-ray also provides nearly 80% less radiation than a standard x-ray. This is due to the fact that the digital version of the x-ray is much more sensitive to this radiation and has been specifically designed with the patient in mind.

Dr. Butler is happy to provide her patients with a protective supplement prior to taking an x-ray if they choose.

Radiation Defense

If one has enough healthy minerals in the system the cells become saturated with them. Once cellular mineral saturation occurs, there is less opportunity for radioactive minerals to be absorbed into the system. Key mineral protection approaches are as follows:

1. Calcium protects the bones
2. Potassium protects the muscles, kidneys, liver, and reproductive organs
3. Iodine protects the thyroid and gonads
4. Iron protects the lungs, liver, and gonads
5. Zinc protects the bones and gonads
6. Vitamin B12 protects the liver and reproductive organs
7. Sulfur protects the skin

You will also want to keep the body high in antioxidant nutrients and enzymes, which will nullify the free radicals created by the radiation exposure.

Foods containing chlorophyll have long been known to protect against radiation. Research has found that cabbage, leafy green vegetables, spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, any sprouts, and blue-green algae all reduce the effects of radiation. Additional foods that protect against radiation include soy miso and beets.

Garlic, onions, and ginseng are also protective against radiation due to antioxidants and factor X.

Herbs including astragalus, echinacea, panax ginseng have all been shown to counteract radiation toxicity to some extent.

Research published in the International Journal of Radiation in 1980, showed that if the pH of the cellular fluid was slightly more alkaline then it would protect the cells against radiation. An alkalizing diet, which is also a live-food, plant-source diet is going to serve us best in these times.

This information was obtained from Dr. Gabriel Cousens M.D., M.D.(H.), N.D.(h.c.), D.D., Diplomate Ayurveda, Diplomate American Board of Holistic Medicine.