CONE BEAM SYSTEMS PROVIDE ANATOMICALLY CORRECT IMAGES THAT ALLOW YOU TO DIAGNOSE WITH CONFIDENCE
Dr. Jay Cazes and his wife, Dr. Janice Cazes, began restoring implants in their practice 26 years ago, but more recently decided to take their practice to the next level by placing implants as well. They were already practicing orthodontics and often had to refer patients out for panoramic and cephalometric images, which created a lag in treatment time and was problematic for progress-check images. They came to the conclusion that they would need an in-office CBCT system and chose a system with 3D imaging technology from Carestream Dental’s CS 9000 series, which had an added ceph arm to aid in orthodontic work.
Once we started placing implants, having the ability to visualize the anatomy in 3D before we anesthetized a patient was phenomenal. We could come to a diagnosis faster without uncomfortable, sometimes inconclusive, traditional diagnostic exams. In fact, in one case, a second opinion consultation became a regular patient because we were able to confidently recommend a treatment plan; his referring dentist could not.
The patient had been referred to me to consider replacing a crown (the tooth had a root canal and the crown had come out due to decay). The patient would have been happy to simply have the crown replaced, but his referring dentist recommended an implant. However, the referral was uncertain about the patient’s bone quality and quantity, and whether the patient would require a sinus lift. The idea of an implant, along with potential bone grafts or a sinus lift, did not appeal to the patient at all. Fortunately, a CBCT scan revealed that the patient had plenty of bone and a sinus lift would not be necessary. With my confident diagnosis and reassurance, the patient was much more willing to accept my treatment plan and decided to have an implant placed.
That case is an excellent example of how CBCT gives me an advantage to diagnose and recommend treatment over another GP who doesn’t have access to similar technology. CBCT also allows us to provide new treatment options and convenient services to our patients in a “one-stop shop” sense, while giving me complete control over esthetic outcomes. For example, CBCT aids tremendously in endodontic therapy, especially retreatment—something that GPs typically shy away from.
Measuring ROI
Many dentists are small-business owners, so they are compelled to scrutinize the bottom line. However, if you measure return as, “The system costs $X so I’ll need to do Y number of exams at $Z a piece to see a return,” you’re missing out on so much. CBCT has enhanced my diagnostic capabilities to the point that I’d happily perform scans at no charge if it meant I could view the anatomy I needed to with more clarity. The number of treatments I’m now able to perform, the confidence it gives me, and the way I’m able to help patients alleviate pain are all part of an immeasurable return on my investment.
CBCT has become such an integral part of my practice that I can’t imagine practicing without it.
About Jay Cazes, DDS
Dr. Jay Cazes is a graduate of Georgetown University School of Dentistry. He operates Cazes Family Dentistry with his wife, Dr. Janice Cazes, in Long Valley, NJ.
