Dental Clinic Singapore, Dental Implant, Dentist Singapore

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Digital Imaging

The clinic has adopted digital imaging because of its clear cut advantages. Digital Imaging allows:

  • Immediate viewing of images within seconds.
  • Ability to obtain high quality images and enhance images by changing the contrast using computer software.
  • No image degradation over time.
  • No possibility of misplacing images.
  • Up to 70-80% less radiation exposure.
  • Easy communication with other clinicians as images are easily transferred across.
Panoramic radiography

Panoramic x-rays are the most commonly used dental radiographs and provide useful information regarding the dentition, sinuses, temporomandibular joints, impacted teeth, and their relation to the vital structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve. They are also vital tin indicating the available bone height during dental implant planning. 

They are especially effective in the following situations:

  • Viewing development, position, and eruption of primary teeth so we can see all your child’s baby teeth and permanent teeth  at one time.
  • For individuals who have difficulty holding x-ray films in their mouth.
  • Diagnosing Temporomandibular Joint dysfunction.
  • Viewing impacted wisdom teeth.
  • Detecting presence of bone or gum diseases.
  • Diagnosing early signs of oral cancer.
  • Discovering pathology e.g. benign tumours.
  • Surveying the sinus region.
  • Discovering stones in the salivary gland.
  • Examining trauma patients.
  • Diagnostic data for referring dentist to use.
  • Critical for setting broken facial bones.
  • Evaluation for full or partial removable dentures, dental implants, or braces.
  • Fractures of the teeth and/or jaws can be seen when it is difficult to open your mouth.
  • Metastases to jaws.  Carcinomas of the breast, lung, prostate, thyroid gland, kidney, and colon may produce cyst-like growth.
  • Genetic abnormalities.
  • Developmental abnormalities-cleft palate.
  • Altered nerve sensation-paresthesia in lip, or hypersensitivity which could be caused by infectious osteomyelitis or  a malignancy compressing a nerve.
  • Finding cause and locating of pain.
Cone Beam CT technology

Our clinic is equipped to carry out procedures under IV sedation. Monitoring equipment such as pulse oximatry, BP cuffs, oxygen supply and airway are a prerequisite for carrying out IV sedation.

Cone Beam CT (CBCT) is a new imaging technology that generates a 3D volume of image data. Using a cone-shaped x-ray beam rather than the linear fan beam of conventional CT's, a CBCT 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 and thicknesses, and be selective for certain tissues. The dose of radiation needed for a CBCT is much lower than for a conventional CT.

Common applications of CBCT include:

DENTAL IMPLANTOLOGY 

3D CT scans allow the surgeon and restorative dentist to optimally plan and place dental implants. Their uses and benefits are present throughout the continuum of care from diagnosis to treatment to post-op examinations and include:

  • Locate and determine the distance to vital anatomic structures.
  • Measure alveolar bone width and visualize bone contours.
  • Determine if a bone graft or sinus lift is needed.
  • Select the most suitable implant size and type.
  • Optimize the implant location and angulation.
  • Increased case acceptance.
  • Reduced surgery time.

And with the use of guided implant placement based on 3D CT scans, all the above benefits are enhanced to the point that the surgeon can approach each case with the confidence that comes from knowing that the best available image data and technology have been used to ensure success.

ORTHODONTICS 

With Cone Beam CT imaging, a more comprehensive orthodontic diagnosis and more accurate treatment planning is possible by allowing for:

  • 3D views of vital structures.
  • 3D evaluation of impacted tooth position and anatomy.
  • TMJ assessments of condylar anatomy in three dimensions.
  • Orthognathic surgery treatment planning and growth assessments in true 1:1 imaging.
  • Airway assessments.
  • Planning for placement of dental implants for tooth restoration or orthodontic anchorage and for placement of temporary anchorage devices.
  • Assessment skeletal symmetry or asymmetry.
IMPACTIONS 

Cone Beam CT scans can provide a more accurate and 3-dimensional assessment to provide more predictable treatment results while reducing the risks associated with any impacted tooth.

  • Visualize an impacted tooth’s position in relation to surrounding vital structures and nearby teeth and their roots.
  • Better assess the risk of treatment or non-treatment based on more accurate 3-dimensional analysis.
SINUS AND AIRWAY STUDIES

Volumetric data obtained from a CBCT survey can be used to visualize the sinuses and the entire airway path from the nasal and oral entrances to the laryngeal spaces for:

  • Identification of anatomical borders.
  • Determination of degree of infection and presence of polyps.
  • Assistance in airway studies for diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Calculation of actual volume of airway space.
  • Determination of the point of airway constriction.
PATHOLOGY 

CBCT scans provide a superior means of visualizing and studying pathological processes in the maxilla and mandible. This information is invaluable when planning any surgical efforts for biopsy or resection.

ENDODONTICS 

Although conventional radiography is more practical and better suited for everyday endodontic procdures, volumetric data from CBCT scans can provide serial axial, coronal, and sagittal views that are not possible to obtain from conventional radiography. The ability to reduce or eliminate superimposition of surrounding structures makes it easier to visualize areas of interest in three dimensions. This provides much clinically relevant diagnositic information and has many potential applications for endodontics including:

  • More accurate identification and diagnosis of periapical endodontic pathosis than conventional radiography.
  • Visualization of obscure internal pulpal anatomy and root canal systems.
  • Assessment of internal and external root resorptive processes.
  • Identification of root fractures and other areas of trauma.
  • Volumetric and density comparisons of periradicular bone following endodontic treatment in order to assess the degree of success or failure.
  • Pre-surgical planning.
TMJ 

Accurate evaluation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has been difficult due to the superimposition of other structures in conventional radiographs. With Cone Beam CT imaging, it is now possible to:

  • Assess the condylar anatomy of the TMJ without superimposition and distortion of the image.
  • Obtain a true 1:1 imaging of the condylar structures for more accurate assessments.
PERIODONTICS 

The disadvantages of conventional 2-dimensional x-rays for accurate periodontal assessment is avoided by 3-dimensional and cross-sectional analyses helping to avoid surprises often encountered during periodontal surgery.

  • Analyze periodontal bone defects on all sides of every tooth.
  • Assess the extent of every furcation involvement.
  • Track the progression of advancing periodontal bone loss.
  • Treatment plan dental implants by evaluating bone parameters such as bone width, depth, and density.
  • Visualize vital structures such as the maxillary sinus, mental foramen and mandibular nerve prior to periodontal or implant surgeries.
ORAL SURGERY 

In addition to implant placement, a Cone Beam CT scan is an invaluable diagnostic and treatment planning tool for the oral surgeon for:

  • Determine the precise three-dimensional position of a tooth within the alveolar bone and how this position relates to vital structures for extractions and impactions.
  • Visualize hard and soft tissues on the computer in three dimensions for planning maxillofacial surgeries.
  • Generate life-size CAD-CAM stereolithic (STL) models for surgical planning and preparation.
  • Monitor skeletal changes, airway changes, and healing responses.