Advanced Technology: Improving Your Oral Surgical Treatment
Advancements in dental technology have made oral surgery procedures more efficient and easier for both oral surgeons and patients. That’s why, at Lehigh Valley Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center, Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry provides CBCT (Cone Beam Computer Technology) scans to assist in creating custom treatment plans for patients based on their specific needs.
Discover how our oral surgeon in Lehigh Valley, PA, utilizes CBCT scans to improve treatment for patients in Allentown, Fullerton, Middletown, and surrounding areas.
What is CBCT Scanning?
CBCT (cone beam computed technology) is an imaging technology that allows doctors to evaluate the underlying bone structure, nerve pathways, and surrounding soft tissues. These scans are accurate and highly detailed, allowing Dr. Chaudhry to create a treatment plan customized to your individual needs.
During a CBCT scan, the imaging machine rotates around the patient’s head and, in less than one minute, generates about 150 to 200 images from various angles compiled into one precise 3D image.
How CBCT Scans Improve Oral Surgery Procedures
CBCT scans are advanced imaging technology that allows our Bethlehem oral surgeons to see detailed, 3D images of a patient’s teeth, jaws, and other oral structures. These images provide valuable information that can help improve the planning and execution of oral surgery procedures, such as:
- Improved diagnosis and treatment planning
- Better assessment of jaw bone quality
- Reduced radiation
- Anatomic variations
- Impacted teeth
Our CBCT Services
Dental Implants
The placement of dental implants is crucial to their overall success. The virtual model Dr. Chaudhry creates with your CBCT scans identifies the densest areas of your jawbone and allows him to note any potential issues that could interfere with placing your implant.
Traditional X-Rays were used in the past, but the value they provide is limited. Thanks to CBCT scans, Dr. Chaudhry can place your implants with unmatched confidence and precision.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
To successfully and safely remove wisdom teeth, it helps to have detailed images. Sometimes, wisdom teeth become impacted, meaning they can be positioned against sensitive nerves or other teeth. Dr. Chaudhry can ensure a safe and pain-free extraction by obtaining CBCT scans with a highly detailed look at your teeth, mouth, and jaw.
Nerve Mapping
Your face and jawbone are full of sensitive nerve endings, and these nerves can’t sustain damage in any way during oral surgery procedures. Before surgeries such as dental implant placement or wisdom teeth removal, Dr. Chaudhry will use the CBCT scanner to identify the location of all the nerves in your mouth. This allows him to avoid these areas during procedures.
The CBCT Scan Process
CBCT scans are painless and quick to perform. Before the scan, the patient will be asked to remove any metallic objects or clothing that may interfere with the image. During the scans, patients will sit in a designated seat.
As the patient sits still and places their mouth around the sensor, the cone beams take hundreds of images, which allows the technology to create one precise 3D image of the inner mechanisms of the jaw and face. CBCT scanning allows our Stroudsburg oral surgeons to zoom in on specific areas and view them from multiple angles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CBCT scans safe?
Yes, CBCT scans are safe when used by an oral surgeon or qualified health professional. While it is true that CBCT scans use ionizing radiation, the amount of radiation exposure is considered low. The radiation dose from a single CBCT scan is similar to that of several traditional X-rays. Additionally, technological advances have led to reduced radiation dose per scan, making CBCT scanning safer.
How are CBCT scans different from X-rays?
CBCT scanning uses a cone-shaped X-ray beam that rotates around the patient’s mouth to produce images from many angles, creating a 3D image. This allows for a more comprehensive view, which can help detect conditions that traditional X-rays may miss. Oral surgeons often rely on CBCT scans to better plan and perform procedures like dental implant placement or wisdom tooth extraction.
How long does a CBCT scan take?
A CBCT scan typically takes only a few minutes to complete. A sensor will be placed in the patient’s mouth. The patient will then be positioned on a table or in a chair, and the scanner will rotate around the patient taking multiple images. The entire process usually takes less than 15 minutes. The details of your scan depend on the information your oral surgeon wishes to obtain.
What conditions can a CBCT scan help diagnose?
CBCT scans can detect various oral health conditions:
- Impacted teeth
- Dental infections
- Loose teeth
- Cysts and tumors
- TMJ disorders
- Sinus pathologies
- Oral pathologies
CBCT scans can evaluate and diagnose a wide range of oral health complications. This advanced dental technology can help improve patient outcomes.
Experience the Precision of CBCT Scans With Dr. Chaudhry
In addition to helping Dr. Chaudhry provide safer and more effective treatment, our CBCT scanner can give you added confidence in your treatment. Dr. Chaudhry will show you exactly what he’s seeing on the monitor and point out any issues. This allows you to be fully educated going into your procedure and trust our Lehigh Valley oral surgeon with your smile.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Chaudhry, call our Bethlehem office at (484)-821-1357 or our Stroudsburg office at (484)-821-1357. You can also book a consultation online by filling out our contact form.
EXCELLENT
289 reviews on
Gabriel Perez
November 12, 2021.
if i could give 10 stars i would . this place eased the pain i carried over 2-3 years at first i was skeptical because my past experiences, however they treated me good with respect.they really took care of me never have i seen a place so courteous. i think everyone in pain should go to this place it was the best for me . i had 7 extractions and they tookme in and i was seen in less than 2 weeks and the teeth were removed in about 20 minutes. they worked at god speed lol. great place. Thank you so much for taking care of me .
Nicole Perez
November 12, 2021.
This place is amazing. The staff are wonderful and very polite. My husband was in pain for years. We went to 2 different oral surgeons and for months they wasted our time. When I called Lehigh valley oral surgery, they listened and made appointments very fast. They even do (out of Network) referrals for insurance. Please if you are in pain and need to be seen this is the place for you. Thank you guys so much for everything you did for my husband.
Lauren O'Brian
November 11, 2021.
Very grateful that I was able to have my dental implant done with Dr. Chaudhry. He and his staff were professional and kind. They were sensitive to my concerns, and answered all of my questions thoroughly. Nicole, the implant coordinator, was especially supportive throughout the process. Thank you for making this experience as pleasant as possible.
Mateopuzzler
October 13, 2021.
Had an issue with my insurance didn't realize they type that I had so the information didn't go through, still saw me they day of my extraction and helped me square away my insurance. They are super friendly nice, and seem to be on top of their game. This place is highly recommended for a reason, this is the place to go.
Dori
October 12, 2021.
My son had 4 wisdom teeth removed. Initially the appointment was for March of 2020. Then the pandemic hit. They refunded my partial payment quickly. Fast forward to September of 2021. Rescheduling was no problem. From the front desk to the doctor and assistants, the staff was friendly and professional. They took new x-rays and found that the procedure was going to be less money! Everything went well. His recovery has been good. He still has some tenderness 3 weeks out. The only complaint I would mention is that we never received a call to check on his recovery. That would have been very nice.
Tami Giglio
September 30, 2021.
This place is great if you need oral surgery. Everyone is so nice and professional. And the facility is very clean. I highly recommend!!
Kristen VanFleet
September 24, 2021.
Had to have an emergency extraction. I was in so much pain and they were able to see me the very next day. The office staff starting with the receptionist was very pleasant courteous and professional. The hygienist was very kind and made sure I was comfortable. Dr Kim was excellent. I was given IV sedation and I’m not sure how I will be able to go back to having dental work without it because it made everything much better. They even sent me home with an ice pack which may seem like a small detail but it was a big help once anesthesia wore off. Choose this practice. You won’t regret it.
April S
September 11, 2021.
I went here a few days ago to get a molar pulled that was chipped and infected. I was completely terrified, so Dr. Farag brought someone in to hold my hand during the numbing shots, and her assistant offered to hold my other hand. She applied plenty of numbing gel, and only two out of all of the injections were painful because she had to inject the gum near the tooth of course, whereas the other shots were just more uncomfortable than anything. The nurses and assistants that held my hand were very sweet, encouraging, and made me chuckle a few times. Dr. Farag talked me through the whole procedure and gave me a break when I needed one. I'll be honest and say it wasn't completely painless, but I don't blame Dr. Farag whatsoever. She tried her best to numb me up, but the tooth was infected and probably couldn't be numbed entirely. Regardless, any pain I felt was probably on a scale of about 3-4, and only happened at certain times during the procedure; it wasn't constant. The pain from the infection felt way worse than anything I felt that day in that chair.
It was over pretty quickly. Her assistant stayed with me afterwards and talked with me until I was calm, since I found myself in a fit of tears after the tooth was pulled. I wasn't in pain afterwards, just really relieved, I think. Dr. Farag seemed to feel genuinely bad at how upset I was, and suggested that I be sedated next time or given anti-anxiety medication if and when I come back to get anything done. She's right, as I would say my own fear was probably the worst part of the experience.
I'm 3 days post-extraction and I feel fine. The bleeding stopped within a few hours when I got home, and the wound seems to be healing well. There is some soreness, a very minimal amount of swelling, and occasional twinges of pain in the area, but that's it.
I would recommended coming here if you need work done. Everyone here is very kind, caring and compassionate. They also honored the fact that I had panoramic x-rays prior, whereas some places will charge you for an x-ray even if you've already had one done.
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