FAQ

  1. How does Mobile Maxillofacial Imaging work?
  2. How are the appointments scheduled?
  3. How soon will the doctor get the images?
  4. How long does the procedure take?
  5. What does the Mobile Maxillofacial Imaging van look like?
  6. What does the CT equipment look like?
  7. Why do I need a CT scan?
  8. Why a CB3D rather than a regular medical scanner?
  9. How should I prepare?
  10. Does it hurt?
  11. What do I need to bring to my appointment?
  12. Can I have copies of my records?
  13. Why do I have to remove my jewelry?
  14. Are these scans safe?
  15. Do you have specific radiation dosage information?

  1. How does Mobile Maxillofacial Imaging work?

    The Mobile Maxillofacial Imaging van will travel to your dental practitioner's office to perform the service by appointment.

  2. How are the appointments scheduled?

    Appointments can be scheduled by the dental office staff only. Appointments can be made by fax and phone.

  3. How soon will the doctor get the images?

    Immediately, or the next day depending on time of day and the complexity of the service requested

  4. How long does the procedure take?

    The entire service takes 10-15 minutes. CT scan takes less than 18 seconds.

  5. What does the Mobile Maxillofacial Imaging van look like?

    Our Mobile van design is spacious, comfortable, and beautiful with a warm professional environment to meet all the patients' needs.

  6. What does the CT equipment look like?

    You will sit comfortably in a chair while a C-shaped arm rotates around your head. Within the arm there is an X-ray source and detector (X-ray receiver), which will make one complete 360 Degree rotation. While the arm is rotating, it is capturing multiple images of your head from different angles. These images are then reconstructed to create a 3D image of your internal anatomy.

  7. Why do I need a CT scan?

    CT scans are becoming the Standard of Care in dentistry, and an important part of your diagnosis and treatment planning, particularly in complex cases and when dental implants are recommended. . Scans are much superior to the conventional two dimensional dental x-rays, they provide the dentist with the most advanced technology to view your jaws and teeth, and all other related structures. These records help your doctor visualize parts of your anatomy that can't be seen with the naked eye or conventional dental x-rays. CB3D will show the bones of the jaw and face, the roots of the teeth, and many other hard tissue structures of the head and neck. The photographs which we also provide show soft tissue aspects of the patient's anatomy that can't be visualized in the x-rays. Together, they provide all of what your doctor needs to properly diagnose and treat you. These records, combined with your doctor's expertise, help assure that you receive the best professional treatment and satisfaction.

  8. Why a CB3D rather than a regular medical scanner?

    * CB3D radiation exposure to the patient is only a tiny fraction compared to that of a regular medical CT scanner
    * Much faster scan time as it take seconds for the scan and the patient is in a sitting position
    * Unlike regular dental X-rays CT scans can discriminate between many types of tissue including bone, teeth, nerve canal, sinuses, and soft tissue in three dimensions.
    * CB3D scans are noninvasive, and can eliminate the need for exploratory surgery in some cases.
    * CB3D scans can more readily identify sinus and root canal infections, hard tissue tumors, fractures, TMJ [joint] dysfunction and other pathologic lesions.
    * A cost effective tool for three dimensional imaging to provide studies of a wide range of clinical problems and solutions.

  9. How should I prepare?

    No preparation needed for a CB3D scan of the head. You will need to remove anything that might interfere with imaging such as earrings, necklaces, piercing, hairpins and eyeglasses. The technician may ask you to also remove dentures or other appliances, unless specified by the referring doctor.

  10. Does it hurt?

    No. Some patients may be asked by their referring doctor to wear a specially-designed mouth splint if the images will be utilized for computer-guided dental implant planning. For patients familiar with a standard panoramic x-ray machine, the scan will be similar-but will result in three-dimensional images!

  11. What do I need to bring to my appointment?

    By law, you must bring a signed referral form from your referring doctor. For dental implant planning or jaw joint studies, your dentist may provide a scanning prosthesis to be utilized as well. If you normally wear a full or partial dentures, bring those also.

  12. Can I have copies of my records?

    All images and photographs are part of your clinical records and therefore will be initially sent within 1-2 days to your referring doctor. You may request copies directly from your referring doctor.

  13. Why do I have to remove my jewelry?

    Items such as earrings, necklaces, piercings, and hair clips interfere with the quality of the scan.

  14. Are these scans safe?

    Yes. One of the distinct advantages of Cone Beam CT imaging versus standard hospital-based CT scans is the decreased radiation dosage and patient-friendly environment. The amount of radiation needed for one of our all-digital scans is about 70% less than a full-mouth set of dental x-rays, less than a standard dental panoramic x-ray and equivalent to 2 days of background environmental exposure by living in the United States.

  15. Do you have specific radiation dosage information?

    Mobile Maxillofacial Imaging is completely digital. There is a significant reduction in radiation compared to full mouth x-rays. Additionally, our volumetric scanner, the NewTom3G, offers the lowest dose available while providing superior image quality. Click here to view detailed dosage information.