Port Macquarie prosthodontist goes 3D

Specialist Prosthodontist Scott Davis has recently discovered the advantages of cone beam imaging for diagnosis and treatment planning after installing a Soredex Scanora 3D in his Port Macquarie, NSW practice.

"I took delivery of the Scanora 3D in June and I've been pleasantly surprised by the sheer amount of diagnostic information I now have available," Dr Davis said. "I place around 80% of my own implants and having access to such a volume of information increases treatment planning options as well as clinical predictability."

Dr Scott purchased the Scanora 3D from Australian Imaging Pty Ltd after looking at several cone beam imaging units on the market.

"When I looked at cone beam units, I firstly wanted a system that incorporated dedicated cone beam and panoramic sensors," Dr Davis said. "I didn't want an OPG reconstructed from the cone beam image. I also wanted the lowest possible radiation dose possible while still being able to obtain high quality images. The idea of a 'sit down' system also appealed as I believe you get a better image if the patient is more stable.

"The field of view was a further consideration. I wanted to be able to image a full arch and use this in guided surgery software. Some systems only offer a very small field of view which wasn't suitable and at the other end of the spectrum, not being an orthodontist or a craniofacial surgeon, I didn't need a system that could image the entire head. This lead me to the Soredex Scanora 3D."

The Scanora 3D combines cone beam 3D imaging plus optional dedicated panoramic imaging. A choice of three fields of view (FOV) are available in cone beam mode that can be selected depending on the imaging requirements of each patient. The smallest FOV (6 cm x 6 cm) is ideal for single implant operations, localized dental examinations and TM joints. The medium FOV (7.5 cm x 10 cm) is suitable when the entire dental complex, including the mental and mandibular foramen, need to be examined. This field of view can also provide information for drill guide fabrication. The largest FOV (7.5 cm x 14.5 cm) is ideal when the complete dentition, both TM joints and upper cervical spine, must be examined. This field of view is also suitable for studying maxillofacial area with airways.

Dr Scott uses the Scanora 3D scans for general diagnostics as well as for the fabrication of implant surgical guides using the Med 3D system.

"I use guided surgery for certain implant cases and the DICOM scan produced by the Scanora 3D is ideal for this application. It can be used with any of the popular guided surgery software programs.

"I referred patients out for medical CT scans in the past but now that I have this facility in house and because the radiation dose is so small in comparison, I find that I am now using the cone beam system routinely. The CMOS flat panel sensor delivers very good resolution with far less metal artifacts than I was getting from Medical CT.

"I use it for the majority of implant cases, certain TMD patients if I'm looking for joint pathology and to evaluate cases with failing implants. It is also very useful in complex endodontic cases; I can see cracks and the size and position of endo lesions very easily, plus I can see into the sinus.

"The quality of the OPG was also a pleasant surprise. I'd worked with digital OPGs before but this is a step up."

Dr Davis said that the Scanora 3D was surprisingly easy to use and thorough training was provided following installation.

"The system is very easy to use. It has a graphically driven interface that walks you through setting up and taking the scans and it's hard to go wrong. Australian Imaging provide great training and support for the product and they sent a team of three people to the practice to install the system and ensure we were fully training. I couldn't have asked for more."

Dr Davis is accepting referrals from practitioners in the Port Macquarie region who require cone beam scanning services.

For more information on the Soredex Scanora 3D, contact Australian Imaging Pty Ltd.