If you are thinking about getting dental implants, you have probably already done a bit of digging online. You know that implants are a great way to get your smile back, but you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by the technical side of things. One of the first things you will hear about during a visit to Paulton Dental & Implant Centre is the need for a "scan."

In the past, a simple X-ray was enough for most dental work. However, when it comes to putting a titanium post into your jawbone, we need to be much more careful. This is where the choice between an OPG and a CBCT scan comes in. As a leading Dentist in Bath, we believe in using the best tools for the job, but we also want you to understand exactly why we use them.

Picking the right scan is not just about ticking a box; it is about making sure your surgery is safe and works well for years to come.

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What Is an OPG Scan?

Let's start with the basics. OPG stands for Orthopantomogram. If you have ever stood in a machine that moves all the way around your head while you bite down on a small plastic piece, you have had an OPG.

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A Wide view

An OPG gives a "wide" view of your mouth. It shows all your top and bottom teeth, your jaw joints, and even your nose area in one single, flat picture. It is a handy tool for a general Dentist in Bath to get a good look at your overall oral health.

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Why It Might Not Be Enough for Implants

The main problem with an OPG is that it is flat (2D). Imagine taking a photo of a forest from far away. You can see all the trees, but you can't tell how much space is between them or how deep the woods are. When our team at Paulton Dental & Implant Centre is planning an implant, we need to know how thick your bone is, not just how tall it is. An OPG can sometimes stretch the image, which is fine for finding a cavity, but not good enough for measuring bone to the millimetre.

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What Is a CBCT Scan?

CBCT stands for Cone Beam Computed Tomography. It sounds a bit complicated, but it is actually the best tool for modern implant dentistry.

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Seeing in 3D

Unlike the OPG, a CBCT scan makes a three-dimensional (3D) image. It takes hundreds of tiny pictures and puts them together to make a digital model of your jaw that we can move around on a screen.

At Paulton Dental & Implant Centre, this lets us see your mouth from every angle. We can see exactly how wide your bone is, where your nerves are, and where your sinuses sit. This level of detail is what makes dental implants Bath so successful. It takes the guesswork out of the whole thing.

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Planning the Move

With a 3D scan, we can "test" where to put your implant on the computer before we even start the surgery. This means we can pick the perfect size and angle for the post, making sure it stays away from any sensitive spots like nerves.

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The Benefits of Using a CBCT at Paulton Dental & Implant Centre

When you choose us as your Dentist in Bath, you are choosing a team that uses the latest tools to look after you. Using a 3D scan offers several benefits that help you directly.

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Shorter Surgery Time

Because we have planned the whole surgery in 3D beforehand, the actual work is often much faster. We aren't making choices as we go; we are following a map we have already made on the computer.

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Faster Healing

Being precise means less bother for the area around the tooth. When we know exactly where the bone is strongest, we can put the implant in with less fuss, which usually means less swelling and a quicker recovery for you.

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Peace of Mind

Knowing that your paulton dentist has seen every hidden part of your jawbone helps take the worry out of the process. You can sit in the chair knowing that everything has been checked and planned before we even begin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: Is the radiation from a CBCT scan safe?

A: Yes. While a CBCT uses a bit more radiation than a standard X-ray, it is still much lower than a regular hospital CT scan. We only take these scans when we really need to, just to keep you safe.

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Q: Does the scan hurt?

A: Not at all. You just stand or sit still for about 20 seconds while the machine moves around you. There is no tunnel to go into, and nothing touches you.

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Q: Why can't I just use the X-ray from my regular dentist?

A: Most regular X-rays only show a few teeth at a time and are flat. For dental implants Bath, we need to see the whole shape of your jaw. If your regular Dentist in Bath has only taken small X-rays, they won't have enough info for surgery.

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Q: Is a CBCT scan more expensive?

A: Because the tools are more advanced, a CBCT does cost more than an OPG. However, at Paulton Dental & Implant Centre, we see it as a must-have for a successful implant. It is much better to plan it right the first time than to have to fix a problem later.

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Why Local Help Matters

Choosing a Dentist in Bath who has this machine on-site makes a big difference. You won't have to go to a different clinic or wait weeks for your results to be sent over.

At Paulton Dental & Implant Centre, we can take the scan and sit down with you on the same day to show you the 3D model of your mouth. We like to be open and show you exactly why we think a certain plan is best. We are just people helping people, and we want you to feel part of the team.

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The Final Choice: Which One Do You Need?

So, OPG or CBCT? To be honest, your paulton dentist will make that choice based on your mouth.

If you are just having a normal check-up, an OPG is a great tool. But if you are ready to fix missing teeth and want the best, longest-lasting result, a CBCT scan is almost always the right answer. It gives us the "map" we need to work on your smile safely.

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Ready to Start Your Implant Journey?

Don't let the technical talk worry you. At the end of the day, these scans are just tools to help us give you back your confidence and help you eat and talk without a second thought.

If you are looking for a friendly Dentist in Bath to talk about your choices, we are here for you. Whether you need a simple OPG for a check-up or a 3D CBCT for dental implants Bath, the team at Paulton Dental & Implant Centre will look after you every step of the way.

Come and see us for a chat. We will take a look, talk about what you want, and use the best tools to get you there. Let’s get your smile back on track together.