What kind of picture do I need for braces?

To start orthodontic treatment, a diagnosis is needed. At this stage, the doctor evaluates the clinical picture and plans to move the teeth. The diagnosis requires — three-dimensional computed tomography — volumetric X-ray of the head, which shows the condition of all structures of the skull: bone tissue, soft tissues, teeth, sinuses.

Based on the CBCT, the orthodontist performs a 3D cephalometric analysis — a detailed examination of the bone, soft and dental structures for more than 20 parameters. It is this analysis that becomes the basis of the treatment plan. The orthodontist can assess the current situation and calculate in which direction and at what angle the teeth can be safely moved to achieve the ideal result.

What an orthodontist looks at when analyzing a CT scan before braces are placed:

• The size and position of the jaws. Based on these parameters, a decision is made on the need for orthognathic surgery.
• Angle of incisors.
• Patient's growth type (vertical, horizontal, neutral) — the angle between the planes of the skull base and mandibular body.
• Is there a sufficient amount of bone tissue to move the roots of the teeth.
• The position and condition of the temporomandibular joint.

Additionally, CBCT will be useful for you at the consultation of a dentist-therapist to check the absence of inflammatory processes in the canals of the teeth (pulpitis and periodontitis). It is not recommended to put braces with any inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.

When do I need to have a scan before getting braces fitted?

Once you have made the decision to have braces fitted you will need a CBCT scan, because the first step before fitting — is diagnosis. The image remains relevant to the orthodontist for about 6 months, provided that there have been no dental interventions since you took it: tooth extraction, implants, canal treatment.

Is it safe to take a picture before installing braces?

Yes, the radiation load when using modern tomographs is very low and comparable to an 8-hour flight.

How is a picture taken before braces are placed?

1. Before taking the picture, you need to remove the metal jewelry so that there is no interference in the image.
2. A protective apron is put on the patient to minimize exposure.
3. The patient sits down and fixes his head in the center of the rotating platform.
4. The X-ray technician sets the image settings.
5. The platform rotates 360 degrees and 180 degrees around the patient's head for 30-40 seconds. At this time, you need to sit still, close your teeth in the usual bite, do not swallow, do not move your chin, breathe evenly.

After that, the image can be recorded for the patient on a disk or sent by mail. If you are doing CBT in the same clinic that you are undergoing an orthodontist consultation, then your picture will immediately get to your orthodontist.

The whole procedure, together with the registration of medical documents and obtaining a picture, takes up to 20 minutes.

A picture for braces in Konfidencia

In our clinic, you can take a three-dimensional picture before an orthodontist consultation on one of the most modern KaVo tomographs with minimal radiation load and a convenient design in which the picture is taken in a sitting position.

Your picture is immediately sent to your orthodontist, and the doctor makes diagnostic calculations and draws up a treatment plan within 1 week.

If you want to know the result of the diagnosis immediately at the first visit, go through a diagnostic consultation with an orthodontist — an appointment with the leading doctor of the clinic, which includes all diagnostic studies.