Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
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 New Imaging

By Dr. Linda Niessen
Monday, August 07, 2006
STORY:   NEW IMAGING
SCRIPT #660  SHOOT:  6/13/06
AIRDATE:  Monday, August 7, 2006 - MIDDAY
MASTER #21  Timecode:1:20:25

A new type of dental x-ray uses less radiation and gives dentists higher quality pictures of teeth and bones. Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry explains how the new x-rays are used in today’s segment of Dental Health Check.

For the past 20 years, Lynn Brittan has struggled to improve her oral health. Extensive gum surgery and bone grafts get her ready for the next stage of treatment: two dental implants. 

“I had a bone graft so I can have an implant. So I am getting a new implant on the top and on the bottom. So I can chew on this side again, which I’ve not been able to do,” said Lynn.

At Baylor College of Dentistry, Lynn undergoes a new type of imaging called cone-beam computed tomography, or C-B-C-T. In simple terms, it is a high resolution CT x-ray of teeth, jaws, and skull.

Dental Radiologist Dr. Pete Benson says, “The image can be acquired much quicker, so the patient doesn’t move. And much less radiation and also much less cost to the patient.”

C-B-C-T scans can be helpful before implant surgery, gum surgery, orthodontics, or to diagnose TMJ problems, trauma, tumors, airway obstruction, and sinus disease.

“When you look at the images you’ve acquired, if you have a question that maybe you didn’t think about, a diagnostic question, and the patient is gone, you can merely reconstruct the image at a different angle and get the answer to the many things you’ve thought of,” Dr. Benson added.

Lynn’s dentist will use the images to plan her implant surgery.

“They are so precise. It’s absolutely amazing,” said Lynn.

And here’s another advantage. From CT scans, dentist can make a model like this one and plan any surgery using an exact replica of your jaw bone. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Science Center, I’m Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.

Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and  the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.

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