Digital Imaging in Dentistry: Intraoral, Extraoral, and 3D Technology
Three-dimensional Extraoral Digital Imaging

The advances in Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) allowing three-dimensional digital imaging in the last decade is impressive. General and specialty dental practices certainly benefit from a 3D digital system that includes panoramic, cephalometric, and Cone Beam imaging programs (Figures 29-30). When choosing a CBCT system diagnostic need is the priority. The most important parameters are the scan field size or field of view (FOV), scan time with voxel-size, mA or beam intensity, and the potential of the kVp.¹⁰

The digital panoramic images are clear and detailed. With the new technology, dental providers can take partial panoramic views of a certain area, instead of a full panoramic image. Imaging system options include TMJ and sinus views, endodontics, dental and bone fractures, impacted teeth, abnormal anatomy, measuring bone dimensions for dental implants, and cleft palate assessment.