Dr. Shawn Hofkes is dedicated to using the latest technology to make your dental treatment more precise, efficient, and comfortable. We now offer cone beam dental imaging at our Cerritos, CA practice. This advanced type of x-ray is a recent development in dental technology, but it is already transforming the way dentists approach oral surgery, as well as cosmetic and restorative work. It also enables dentists to make earlier, more precise diagnoses and create highly personalized treatment plans for each patient.
What Is Cone Beam Imaging?
Cone beam imaging sends out cone-shaped beams of light to create a three-dimensional x-ray image of a patient’s entire head and oral structure. The cone beam scanner quickly moves around a patient’s head, gathering extremely detailed data in approximately ten seconds.
What Are the Advantages?
The biggest advantage of cone beam imaging is that it gives Dr. Hofkes a detailed three-dimensional image, allowing him to get a more precise understanding of patients’ exact oral structure including the dimensions of their jaw and sinus passages. Other advantages of cone beam imaging include:
- Images are easier to manipulate. Dr. Hofkes can view the images from any angle, from two-dimensional or three-dimensional perspectives. He can also magnify the data to get an extremely detailed understanding of a patient’s oral health. He can even manipulate the images to obtain a “panoramic view” of the teeth, jaw, and skull.
- Cone beam imaging does use x-rays, but it is a digital system, meaning patients are exposed to much less radiation.
- The process is quick and easy. There is no special preparation required, and the digital scanner can gather a full set of images at once.
- Cone beam images are easy to store and replicate. Dr. Hofkes can use the images to explain dental treatment, and he can easily share the data with other specialists, ceramists, and physicians.
What Procedures Is It Used for?
Cone beam imaging has applications in nearly every area of dentistry, but it is particularly useful in oral surgery. Dr. Hofkes can use this advanced system for tooth extraction, bone grafting, and looking for signs of dental crowding. Cone beam technology is particularly useful in the placement of dental implants. Dr. Hofkes can use these highly detailed images to create a personalized treatment plan and more precisely place the implant posts.
About Shawn Hofkes, DDS
With advanced training in oral and maxillofacial surgery, Shawn Hofkes, DDS is qualified to provide comfortable, safe dental surgery from our state-of-the-art dentist office in Cerritos, CA. To schedule your appointment or consultation with Dr. Hofkes, contact us today. We proudly serve patients of all ages from Cerritos, Lakewood, Long Beach, Buena Park, and all surrounding communities.
