Dental or maxillofacial imaging

Dental radiology examinations may be necessary before performing certain treatments, performing dental or maxillofacial surgery, before placing implants or to ensure the placement of dental appliances. They can be made in two dimensions or in three dimensions.

1. Dental panorama (or 2D)

This technique consists of a panoramic X-ray of the entire dentition. It gives a complete view of the dental arches, jaw bones, joints and sinuses. It makes it possible to diagnose infections, fractures, cysts, etc. and is very useful for studying the distribution of teeth, bone loss, periodontitis...

Principle of the examination

This technique uses X-rays in minute doses. Its main advantage is to offer a plate integrated into the machine that allows to no longer have to place X-ray plates in the mouth. This examination is painless.

Conduct of the examination

You are taken care of by a member of the medical team who accompanies you in the examination room. You are standing or sitting on an armchair. The operator wedges your head on a headrest and prompts you to wedge a plastic support between your teeth. You are asked to remain still while the machine rotates around your head.

Preparation

You will be asked to remove metal objects (jewellery, piercings, glasses, etc.) before performing the examination.

Contraindication

Dental panorama is an examination not recommended in case of pregnancy.

2. Cone Beam CT (or 3D)

This 3D sectional imaging technique uses a cone beam scanner with an X-ray source and receiver that rotate around the patient at the same time. The images are then processed by a computer for 3D reconstruction.

Principle of the examination

This technique uses X-rays at doses much lower than conventional CT scans. This examination is painless. This examination is able to produce a high resolution of images in severalle planes of space by eliminating overlays of surrounding structures. The Cone Beam uses low X-ray radiation. It is less irradiating than a conventional scanner.

NEW: the latest generation Cone Beam will be installed at the IMAGIN-X center in 2022 and will also allow the realization of Arthroscanner (hand-wrist-shoulder-knee-hip).

Conduct of the examination

You are taken care of by a member of the medical team who accompanies you in the examination room. You are standing or sitting on an armchair. The operator positions your head in a headrest using a restraint system and prompts you to spread your jaws to place a small single-use piece between your teeth. You are asked to stand still for about ten seconds while the device rotates around you.

The advantages of the Cone Beam :

  • Focuses the examination on a specific area (a few teeth, a jaw) to limit the irradiation field.
  • Allows to obtain more precise images and without deformation, nor crushing (compared to the dental panoramic), a very good resolution of images.
  • Allows you to see in more detail the small bone structures that are difficult to visualize on the scanner.
  • Offers 3D digital reconstruction.

Preparation

You will be asked to remove metal objects (jewellery, piercings, glasses, etc.) before performing the examination.

Contraindication

Cone Beam is an examination not recommended in case of pregnancy.