Accurate diagnosis is the first step toward a healthy, radiant smile.
At our dental practice in Zurich, we use state-of-the-art technology to reliably assess hidden structures such as tooth roots, nerves, and the jawbone. 3D X-rays are an indispensable tool for us in this process.
A 3D X-ray is a three-dimensional image created using a volumetric tomograph through a layer-by-layer process. Within a few seconds, hundreds of individual images are combined to create a precise 3D scan of your jaw.
We use 3D X-rays in Zurich to plan a wide range of treatments. Whenever a precise assessment of the finest structures is required, 3D/DVT imaging provides additional certainty.
What are the benefits of 3D X-rays at the dentist?
Digital volume tomography (DVT) is a highly precise imaging technique that allows us to visualize the finest structures, such as inflammation, bone defects, or root canals. The position of teeth or implants relative to one another can also be assessed much more accurately in a 3D/DVT scan than in a traditional 2D image.
The scan is non-invasive and painless and takes only a few seconds. The 3D image is immediately available in digital form.
For the dentist, however, the 3D X-ray image is not just an important diagnostic tool. Using the CBCT scan, they can also precisely plan subsequent dental treatment and, for example, simulate the position of dental implants.
For which treatments is 3D X-ray useful?
In Zurich, we use 3D/CBCT for the following applications, among others:
- Planning dental implants
- Assessment of tooth position
- Visualization of inflammation, cysts, and tumors
- Visualization of the course and number of root canals
- Assessment of the jawbone
- Visualization of the periodontium
- Assessment of whether individual teeth are worth preserving
A 3D image can be useful, for example, before wisdom tooth surgery, root canal treatment, or apicoectomy. In cases of unclear symptoms, inflammation, tooth fractures, and other changes can be visualized. Complex treatments such as dental implant placement or bone grafting can be planned with the highest precision using the three-dimensional image.
How is a 3D/DVT scan performed?
In cases of unclear symptoms or if a major treatment is planned, the dentist first conducts a general examination. Afterward, they will discuss with you whether a 3D scan is advisable and what insights they expect to gain from the examination.
The 3D X-ray takes only a few seconds and is performed in a room specially equipped for this purpose. You stand or sit upright in front of the machine, where one of our staff members will precisely align your head and gently secure it in place.
The volumetric tomograph then moves around you without making contact. In the process, it captures a large number of individual images, which are subsequently combined into a digital 3D image.
Although digital 3D X-rays involve low radiation exposure, you will wear a radiation protection vest during the scan. This further reduces the already low radiation exposure. The staff will briefly leave the room for the duration of the scan and will return immediately afterward to accompany you back to the treatment room.
The results of the scan can then be discussed directly with your dentist.
FAQ
A 3D X-ray, or digital volume tomography (DVT), is a three-dimensional image created using a device called a volume tomograph. The device moves around the patient, taking cross-sectional images of the teeth. This produces a 3D image of the patient’s dentition, which can be viewed immediately on the screen.
A DVT X-ray image is three-dimensional. This makes it possible to visualize even the finest structures that are difficult to assess in a conventional 2D X-ray. These include, for example, root canals, inflammation, and fractures, as well as the exact position of teeth and implants relative to one another. Bone density can also be assessed.
The radiation exposure from DVT X-rays is many times lower than that from comparable procedures such as computed tomography. In general, radiation exposure can be reduced by up to 90% with digital X-ray procedures.
At our dental practice in Zurich, we adhere to strict safety standards, regardless of the X-ray procedure chosen. This allows us to guarantee our patients the highest possible level of safety.
A three-dimensional X-ray exposes the patient to approximately 50 to 150 microsieverts of radiation. By comparison, a computed tomography (CT) scan exposes the patient to ten times that amount, or approximately 500 to 1,500 microsieverts. The radiation exposure is even lower for images of individual teeth; however, these are often insufficient for complex treatments.
The cost of a 3D X-ray in Zurich is approximately 400 to 500 CHF. Statutory health insurance covers these costs only in exceptional cases. If you have private supplemental dental insurance, the exam may be included in your coverage.