Dental technology has improved immensely.

Dental implant surgery has a high success rate of about 97%. Because of inaccurate placement of the implant or a lack of preparation when planning the procedure, however, implant failure occasionally happens.

i-CAT 3D imaging offers a viable solution to this problem by providing a high level of accuracy and precision that ensures better planning of the dental implant surgery, more precise placement, and a better success rate.

So, if you’re planning on having or have been advised to have implant surgery, it’s always best to consult a dental surgeon that uses this technology if you want the best implants possible. But what is i-CAT 3D, and why does it make implants better? This post will answer these questions in more detail.

What is i-CAT 3D?

i-CAT 3D is one of the most advanced and accurate imaging technologies available in dentistry. It uses high-resolution images to obtain highly accurate and detailed three-dimensional views of all your anatomies, like your bones, teeth, tooth orientation, tooth and nerve relation, airways, and sinuses.

This new dental technology allows enhanced diagnostic accuracy of all structures of the face and neck area and improves implant planning, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) and airway analysis, and orthodontic and oral surgery planning. Plus, it makes it easier to detect pathologies patients may have, like cysts or tumors.

Specifically relating to dental implants, cross-sectional imaging provides data that is vital for assessing a patient’s suitability for a dental implant in a specific area. It provides information on the available bone height and width, and it assists the dental surgeon in deciding their specific approach to a dental implant procedure. i-CAT 3D provides this cross-sectional imaging of the thickness of a person’s jaw bones and accurately portrays vital structures for a more accurate assessment and correct placement of the dental implants.

What are the benefits of i-CAT 3D?

Considering the capabilities of this dental technology, there are several benefits to using it to improve dental implants.

Quick

With the scan only taking eight seconds to complete, it can be conveniently done in the dentist’s office, and once the scan is complete, you’re able to get an immediate visual diagnosis to help you better understand your treatment options.

An additional benefit of these quick scan times is that it reduces the appearance of artifacts because of patients moving during the scan. This means better accuracy overall and better planning of your dental implant surgery.

Comfortable

With i-CAT 3D, you don’t need to go to hospital or an outpatient imaging lab, and it’s performed in an open and roomy environment in the dentist’s office. In addition, you can get the scan either lying down or sitting in a chair, depending on the type of scanner being used. This makes the whole process amazingly comfortable.

Effective

For the curious and technical mind, there’s more to share. If that’s not you, skip on down to the next section.

Did you know traditional CT scans provide anisotropic voxels with a depth that’s usually in the order of 1 to 2 mm? In contrast, i-CAT 3D provides isotropic voxels with depths ranging from 0.4 mm to as low as 0.09 mm. This submillimeter resolution capability of i-CAT 3D is precise enough for measurements in oral applications and meets the needs of exactness required for implant site assessment and analysis.

In simpler terms, i-CAT 3D provides a staggering level of detail and accuracy that leads to better planning and eliminates the need to redo the scanning procedure to get the level of details required for a successful implant surgery.

Precision

i-CAT 3D is one of the most significant diagnostic imaging technologies that have emerged recently. Because it takes a range of 150 to 200 2D images, which are then digitally combined to form a 3D image, it allows for greater precision than traditional X-rays or CT scan systems.

Because the scan takes only a few seconds, you’ll also receive a lower dose of radiation compared to traditional CT scans. In fact, i-CAT 3D has been measured to deliver a radiation exposure dose 10 times lower than conventional CT scans. This should provide some comfort to those who want to avoid dental X-rays’ potentially harmful effects.

Why is precision so important in implant surgery?

Implant success depends on various things, like tissue quality, emergence profile, abutment selection, contacts, occlusion, and many more. Although these all play a role in how successful an implant will be, one thing that is vital is precision.

With better precision, implant outcomes are more predictable, and patients are more satisfied. In other words, precision can reduce micro-movements when a dental implant lacks stability, reduce implant failure due to a lack of bone support, and eliminate nerve or tissue damage from occurring when an implant is placed too close to a nerve. This all relies on proper planning and accurate safe placement of the implant.

i-CAT 3D gives dentists the ability to take complex cases, where tenths of a millimeter matter, from start to finish with a level of precision that ensures the best results.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this post has shown you how i-CAT 3D makes implants better and ensures results that you can be happy with.

If you’d like to know more about i-CAT 3D technology or want to schedule an appointment at our East Norriton, PA, office, please give us a call today!

GET IN TOUCH

Contact Us Today

Call:

610-795-9101

VISIT US TODAY

Our Office Location

2601 Dekalb Pike
East Norriton, PA 19401

Office Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 3pm Business Office only

610-795-9101

Accessibility Toolbar

Scroll to Top