Congratulations on completing dental school! As you embark on your journey as a dental professional, one essential piece of equipment that you may need to consider is a dental CBCT (cone beam) system. As you may have heard in school, 3D imaging is quickly becoming the new standard of care for dentists and dental specialists.
This specialized imaging tool plays a crucial role in a number of disciplines, predominately: Implants, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, TMJ, Sleep & Airway Analysis, Surgical Guides and much more.
If your area of study in dental school covered any of these disciplines, you likely spent considerable time training with cone beam scans, including interpretation and diagnostics.
Rather than repeat what you already learned in dental school... Today, we're taking a deeper look into the modern dental cone beam system itself, including considerations other doctors we work with wished they knew before they purchased their equipment.
Types of Dental CBCT Systems Available Today
Today's marketplace is full of competitive CBCT brands, with models fitting the needs of any clinical application, physical dimensions and, especially, budget.
With so many brands and models to choose from, how can you be sure you're getting the best value from your machine?
Take it from us, we're Renew Digital. We've been in the business of matching doctors with the right imaging equipment to meet their long-term needs for over 10 years. So, we know quite a bit about what doctors are looking for when they start shopping for a CBCT machine.
Based on the types of CBCT systems available to doctors today, here are a few recommendations of what to ask your dealer and/or manufacturer to better understand your options.
Field of View (FOV)
All CBCT buyers should start here! One of the most important specifications to understand when comparing CBCT is called field of view (FOV).
The field of view indicates the anatomical area captured by the scan, typically measured in centimeters (cm). Each manufacturer sets their own field of view sizes, so they can differ greatly by brand and model.
How do you know which FOV is the right option for your practice? The FOV you’ll need is largely determined by the applications or procedures you’ll be utilizing the CBCT machine for during treatment planning. Regardless of manufacturer, dental cone beam systems are typically categorized by three FOV groups: small, medium, and large.
Most medium and large FOV cone beam dental systems can often collimate down to achieve smaller FOV sizes if needed.
PRO TIP: Go with the largest field of view that captures the needed anatomy for the procedures you’ll be performing but not so large that you’re acquiring additional anatomy that is not necessary for treatment. For example, if you plan to do localized exams like endo or single implants, a large field of view would capture more area than what you would need for these treatments.
For a full comparison of what each FOV size is used for in dental practices, continue reading our article: Dental Cone Beam FOV - Which is Right for You?
Image Quality & Voxel Size
Another major point of comparison between CBCT brands is the resolution of the image you’ll receive. The higher the resolution, the better the image quality. The quality of your CBCT image directly impacts your ability to effectively plan treatment.
As an example, in endo procedures, you’ll need the highest resolution possible to ensure you can visualize the tiny details of canals. For many doctors, this is not an area worth sacrificing for a cheaper product.
To compare image quality across CBCT brands, the unit of measurement is typically called a voxel.
A voxel is the smallest 3D element of the volume, represented as a cube or a box, with height, width, and depth. The larger the voxel size, the less resolution the image will have and less capability to differentiate between small structures. The voxel size is dependent on the imaging objective and the size of the unit detector.
Imaging Modules
Most of today’s CBCT systems are able to capture both 3D and 2D images. When purchasing, it’s important to know the imaging modules available with your CBCT system.
Some brands, such as Planmeca and Sirona, offer a dedicated panoramic modality with an extraoral bitewing program - a desirable feature among many patients that struggle with intraoral imaging, like pediatric patients or patients with a sensitive gag reflex.
Others, like i-CAT, can additionally offer cephalometric imaging in a single scan, which is extrapolated from the 3D volume.
Software Compatibility
3D scans require extensive reconstruction and algorithms not needed with 2D panoramic imaging, most CBCT machines feature a dedicated 3D imaging software to acquire, store and manage these files.
It’s critical to review the software system requirements to confirm compatibility with your computers and practice network.
Upgradeability
Some dentists, particularly new owners and recent grads, may feel that they aren’t quite ready for a CBCT machine and initially purchase an upgradeable 2D unit. This feature is sometimes sought after by doctors looking to expand their practice to CBCT in the future.
An upgradeable unit can typically have CBCT functionality added on by the manufacturer. In addition, CBCT machines can be also upgraded to include a ceph attachment, which can be useful if you may want to add in-house orthodontic work to your service offering in the future.
When reviewing upgradeable 2D units, ask your dealer or manufacturer to confirm the cost of upgrading so you can compare this to the price of a CBCT unit.
Unit Footprint
Another important consideration when comparing CBCT machines is the unit’s footprint. Every practice is configured differently, each with different state regulations on the X-ray exam room. Knowing the actual and recommended dimensions of a CBCT system will help you configure your exam room in accordance with local regulations, while also maximizing the comfort of your staff and patients.
In this case, the actual dimensions are the true measurements of the CBCT system, while the recommended dimensions account for the movement of the CBCT unit for capturing scans. All CBCT manufacturers offer both dimensions to help account for optimal placement and operation.
Today's Top CBCT Brands
Now that you know the various points of comparison between types of CBCT systems, it's a good idea to get familiar with today's most in-demand brands. These brands have led the industry in innovation, quality manufacturing and customer service.
- Planmeca
- Sirona
- DEXIS (formerly KaVo) family of brands
- Carestream
- Vatech
For a deeper dive on why doctors prefer these CBCT brands, check out our full article: Today's Top CBCT Brands.
Looking to Get Started?
Did you know doctors who purchase certified pre-owned through Renew Digital typically save between 30-50% off new list prices on dental imaging equipment? Plus, with the option to look at current and previous generation CBCT models from the most in-demand brands, you'll have greater possibilities to choose from.
For over 10 years, we've been the leader in certified pre-owned dental imaging equipment. We have a wide range of pan/ceph systems all from the leading brands dentists trust - including Sirona, Planmeca, Carestream, i-CAT/DEXIS, Vatech, and many more.
We back the quality of our pre-owned equipment through a rigorous system of testing and inspection and then give peace of mind with our comprehensive parts and labor warranty. You can be sure the equipment we install will work safely and effectively for many years to come.
We also provide full-service installation, training, and project management services, just as you would receive if you purchased a new machine.
And if you have a need for an intraoral scanner as well, don't miss our great prices on NEW-IN-BOX and Certified Pre-Owned intraoral scanners, from today's top brands like iTero, Medit and Carestream.
Reach a dedicated sales rep by calling Renew Digital at (888) 246-5611 or completing the form below. Your rep will work with you to determine how your equipment will be used, where it will be placed, and match you to the brands and models most likely to work within your configuration (including considerations like network/electrical as well).
From purchase through installation, we'll provide you 5-star rated customer service.
