Upgrading to Dental CBCT: Getting Started Guide for You and Your Staff

Dental cone beam is the cutting-edge standard in dental imaging technology. CBCT offers the most advanced imaging protocols, delivering extremely detailed 3-dimensional images of both hard and soft tissues surrounding the area of interest.

To many, making the transition from 2D to 3D seems daunting, but rarely do doctors regret making the switch when they do! With so many added capabilities, and the ability to keep more cases in-house, the ROI potential is proven. With that said, the adoption of new technology always comes with its potential pitfalls, so we wrote this short guide to help you meet head-on.

So You Want to Upgrade to CBCT? Here Are Some Common Pitfalls 

Coming up with the funds to purchase a new dental CBCT machine is one thing. You’ll also need to find ways to integrate the technology. That is, integration both physically and into your workflows, as well as how to use it. These and a few other high-ticket items will be addressed here.

Beat the Learning Curve 

One of the main challenges doctors raise about adopting new technology like CBCT has to do with the time investment. As with any new technology, learning to use it can present a roadblock in terms of valuable hours invested.

The solution is to start using the system, and to use it as frequently as possible, right after your training ends. It could be CPE training or training offered by the sales team that sold you the system.

Time may be precious, but set aside time to work with the manufacturer or seller of your system (most will offer training with the new system). For our part, if you buy a certified pre-owned dental CBCT system from us, our certified technician will train you on-site after installation on how to use it so you can shorten the learning curve.

Learning to Work with New Software

Learning to work with the new software, just like learning how to use the system and interpret the scans can feel like a setback.

The easiest way to work around this is to work directly with the manufacturer if you have questions, or to get training materials from them. This is necessary because each manufacturer uses its own suite of imaging and management software.

Alternatively, if you buy from Renew, you can work with us directly for information on how to use the new software, as well as on its requirements, features and more. Even though we exclusively work with certified pre-owned equipment, we work closely with the manufacturers we choose to distribute to make sure your dental CBCT system comes equipped with the latest version of imaging software from the manufacturer, too.

Learning to Interpret CBCT Images 

Dentists, especially those who have spent years reading 2D radiographs after working with panoramic dental X-ray systems, may be intimidated by the prospect of learning to interpret the 3D images produced by dental cone beam CT systems. This is understandable, but there is an easy solution.

Despite the fact that CBCT scans are 3-dimensional, they are usually interpreted in a 2D format, making them not entirely dissimilar from 2D scans. Since you already know oral anatomy, being able to interpret scans that show coronal, axial and sagittal views in 2D should make the process easier.

But the best way to get good at it is just to do it. Take scans of staff members or other willing participants and spend some time looking over and interpreting those scans. The more you do it, the more proficient you’ll become.

Another tip we have is to look into CPE courses dedicated to CBCT scan interpretation. BeamReaders and DentalTown are two great resources for dentists looking to learn more about how to get better at reading CBCT scans.

Dental CBCT Is Too Expensive

Lastly, let’s address another concern associated with the adoption of dental CBCT technology - the cost. But don’t let this pitfall stop you!

Dentists often balk at the price of CBCT technology, which can range comfortably in the tens of thousands of dollars for a new system. In some cases, the price would be closer to $100,000 for a new machine.

We can help with that. We routinely save our customers anywhere from 30% to 50% off the price of new systems by providing certified, pre-owned dental CBCT systems from the brands dentists trust most, such as Planmeca, i-CAT, Vatech, Sirona and others.

Plus, we support these systems like new, assisting with planning and installing, as well as training and ongoing support. For more information on how you can upgrade to a cost-effective certified pre-owned dental CBCT system, get in touch with us at 888-246-5611 or fill out a form.

For More Information on Dental CBCT Technology  

If you still have questions about how to get the most out of your CBCT system while avoiding some of these common hurdles, please get in touch with us directly or refer to our previous post, I Just Invested in a Dental Cone Beam…Now What?