Montana Pet Dentistry and Oral Surgery is proud to offer Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) technology for every patient. Maxillofacial imaging is imperative in diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. Since a larger percentage of the tooth structure (60%) is below the gumline, diagnosis of dental disease and oral pathology requires imaging. Traditionally, dental imaging is achieved with intraoral dental radiographs. Skull radiographs have been used in the past but, unfortunately, do not provide the level of detail required to evaluate teeth and maxillofacial structures accurately. Digital dental radiographs have been an integral mainstay in veterinary dentistry, but this diagnostic modality does have limitations. The limitations seen include relying on a 2-dimensional image to evaluate a 3-dimensional structure and, in some cases, considerable time during anesthesia to obtain radiographs.
Cone beam CT imaging emerges as an advancement to dental radiographs. Conducting a CBCT scan on our patients is characterized by minimal time and effort, effectively reducing the duration of time under anesthesia. Moreover, this technology facilitates the generation of a comprehensive 3D reconstruction of the teeth and skull, surpassing the diagnostic constraints of traditional radiographs. This is of particular importance in cases of maxillofacial trauma when radiographs may easily miss pathology. In cases of oral tumors and facial swellings, CBCT imaging can rapidly provide an outline of the pathology, making surgical planning more specific and efficient. In cases of non-vital (dead) teeth, endodontic treatment prognosis prediction is enhanced with the use of cone beam CT imaging.
Montana Pet Dentistry’s CBCT unit is the VetCAT, designed by Xoran Technologies, LLC. Our unit is easily rolled up to our treatment table, eliminating the need to move our patients. The time for a scan ranges from 40-120 seconds. In contrast, full mouth radiography may take up a time frame of 20-30 minutes. Providing an imaging diagnosis more accurately with a decreased time under anesthesia is ideal. Montana Pet Dentistry and Oral Surgery is pleased and privileged to offer your companion this diagnostic service with every dental cleaning procedure, as well as offering it as a sole diagnostic test.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (01/10/2025) Photo by Tran Mau Tri Tam ✪ on Unsplash