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Cone Beam X-Ray Specialist

Millennium Park Oral Surgery Our Services Cone Beam X-Ray

Millennium Park Oral Surgery

Oral Surgeon located in Chicago, IL

Dr. Lawrence Zager of Millennium Park Oral Surgery in Chicago, Illinois has some of the most advanced technology at his disposal like the dental cone beam computed tomography, also known as a cone beam x-ray. With iCAT Cone Beam 3D imaging, Dr. Zager can see all the delicate components in your mouth, teeth, sinuses, joints, airway and jaws, and simulate precise implant placement to ensure you get the best possible result.

Cone Beam X-Ray Q & A

What is iCAT Cone Beam 3D Imaging?

iCAT Cone Beam 3D imaging is a form of computer tomograph that provides a 3D image of various oral and facial structures. The goal is to allow oral surgeons like Dr. Zager to get a clear view of the airway, nerves, bone density, height and width. Dr. Zager uses these insights for corrective jaw surgery, airway appliances, mandibular joint appliances, and surgical guides for implant placement. At the same time, Dr. Zager is able to visualize the nerves to the lip, chin, and tongue that will help reduce or eliminate damage to the nerves during the removal of impacted or infected teeth.

With the iCAT technology, Dr. Zager can reduce radiation exposure to the thyroid, tonsils, eyes and brain, in young children and older adults. This is much less radiation, then what patients receive in medical hospital x-rays and CT scan examinations.

With less radiation and a higher resolution, Dr. Zager receives more information for oral surgical and dental procedures.

This technology uses a cone beam form of x-ray which reduces the exposure of radiation and gives a superior image for better diagnosis and treatment.  If you’ve ever been to the hospital for a broken bone or some kind of physical trauma, you may have had a CT scan. The iCAT technology has been refined and is safer to use for oral surgeons and dentists.

How Does a Cone Beam X-ray Work?

Like all forms of CT, a cone beam machine takes multiple X-rays and compiles them using a computer to see structures in a 3D format. As this technology has improved, the accuracy of removing impacted wisdom teeth, bone grafting, recognizing tumors and cysts has become easier to diagnose and treat.

How Useful is the Image Produced with a Cone Beam X-Ray?

The use of cone beam x-rays is a critical part of diagnosis and treatment planning for Dr. Zager. Using this technology, he gets a clear and undistorted view of bone, soft tissue, nerves, sinuses, teeth, and other structures. The image allows for proper measurement of height, width and density, too, so he can determine the donor size for a bone graft or implant.

This form of CT scan is used for more than just dental implants and bone grafts, though. Dr. Zager relies on it to remove impacted teeth, to see why a tooth might be breaking down, to diagnose and treat tumors, cysts, and derangements and problems with the temporomandibular joint and airway.