What is behind the standard settings of your Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) unit? BeamReaders educational courses can be a helpful refresher, or get you going as a first time CBCT owner! As dental providers, delving into the intricacies of CBCT is a journey that often prompts many questions.
When you open a CBCT volume, are you seamlessly reorienting and adjusting settings to streamline your review process? The efficiency in these moments can significantly impact your diagnostic capabilities.
Beyond the dentition, can you readily differentiate between normal and abnormal anatomy to ensure a comprehensive understanding and deliver the best care to your patients? Recognizing subtle variations in anatomy is key to providing precise and informed treatment decisions.
To help you address these, BeamReaders’ expert oral and maxillofacial radiologists have created an educational program with the Three-Part On-Demand CBCT Education Series.
This comprehensive series includes 'CBCT Foundations,' 'Understanding 3D Anatomy,' and 'CBCT Search Patterns,' to unravel the complexities of CBCT for dental providers.
CBCT Foundations: Tailored for those new to CBCT or experts seeking a refresher, this section swiftly covers the basics. Dr. Kaycee Walton provides essential insights, answers commonly asked questions and provides guidance even the most experienced and responsible practice utilizing CBCT could benefit from. Dr. Walton emphasizes understanding your CBCT machine settings and the importance of comprehending its capabilities. She delves into the thought process behind deciding to take a radiograph for a patient, reminding practitioners of fundamental radiology topics of justification and optimization. She describes the strengths and limitations of CBCT units and underscores the necessity of reviewing guidelines from governing bodies such as the ADA, AAOMR, AAE, and AAO for image prescription.
Understanding 3D Anatomy: Delve into normal anatomy including variants, and navigate abnormal anatomy with our oral radiologists Drs. Shiva Toghyani and Martina Parrone. This section equips learners with the ability to discern concerning anatomical findings and when to consider seeking a second opinion. In this course, Drs. Toghyani and Parrone provide an in-depth review of anatomy beyond the dentoalveolar region, encompassing the paranasal sinuses, the airway, and the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). Often missed or underreported when dental imaging is ordered for the dentoalveolar region, these anatomical areas receive special focus. The duo also provides insights into common benign and destructive findings in those areas, along with clinical symptoms that dental providers can use to correlate their findings. This section is a comprehensive summary of clinical symptoms, and a must-see for practitioners at any level.
CBCT Search Patterns: Dr. Martina Parrone returns in this section, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to evaluating every scan you take, including reviewing the scan for its technical quality and usability. She also emphasizes the importance of how a thorough scan review can uncover every opportunity for helping your patients. Dr. Parrone answers the question of 'now that you have a CBCT volume for your patient, how do you best view it?’ She demonstrates how to properly orientate the scan, what settings are best for contrast and brightness, and a comprehensive and systematic search process. This will empower dental providers to best serve their patients by knowing everything on the scan and allowing them to rapidly help with the patient’s concerns. This practical course ensures that the CBCT volume is explored thoroughly, avoiding a common pitfall known as 'satisfaction of search' where only the region of interest is focused on, and the rest of the scan may be ignored. Dr. Parrone's expertise guides practitioners in navigating through scans systematically, uncovering any and all opportunities to support their patients.
In conclusion, the Three-Part On-Demand CBCT Education Series offers an opportunity for dental providers to enhance their CBCT expertise. Whether you're new to CBCT or seeking to sharpen your skills, each section addresses common questions, provides essential guidance, and imparts knowledge that even seasoned CBCT owners can benefit from. Elevate your diagnostic capabilities, broaden your anatomical understanding, and streamline your scan evaluations – the "Three-Part CBCT Education Series" is your key to unlocking the full potential of CBCT in your practice, and knowing what clinical action to take!
