By Kelly Rodgers Suchman, DDS

Before we invested in our Gendex GXCB-500™ cone beam system, my partner, John Flucke, was instrumental in weighing the benefits of the various 3-D options that were available. He has been dubbed our "technology evangelist." In his passion for technology, he is always looking for the latest developments to benefit our patients. Our goal was to stay within the budget of a general dentistry practice, and to implement an imaging method that would increase our treatment options and offer advantages to our colleagues as well.

I moved into my office space this past summer equipped with a digital panoramic X-ray machine which I still use quite a bit. To expand the practice to include Invisalign and implants, we realized that a 3-D cone beam machine would prove to be a valuable imaging tool for that process. Also, while we are still in the learning curve for placing implants, right now we mainly are utilizing 3-D imaging for third molars. We are also exploring the implant process with the NobelGuide™ and SimPlant® 3-D treatment planning and surgical implementation systems.

3-D cross-section of a third molar

In our general practice, our 3-D system gives us a more detailed and clearer view of the dentition than ever before. If we have done a root canal and the tooth remains symptomatic, we take a scan and look for a fracture viewing coronally and axially — something we couldn't do with 2-D X-rays. This technology opens up so many possibilities for us and for various specialists. For example, orthodontists use it for precise location of impacted and malaligned teeth. With 3-D images, you know exactly where they are, with no guessing.

Besides using this technology for our own purposes, we also share the wealth of knowledge that it provides with our referring dentists and specialists. When we refer out a third molar extraction case, we offer our 3-D images, including the i-CATVision™ software on CD as a service to oral surgeons who don't have one yet. For those colleagues who want to take advantage of our cone beam system by sending their patients here, we've situated it in a separate part of our office with a distinct entrance. People coming in for scans from these doctors don't have to traipse through our office.

For those who have reservations about the possible liability involved with reading the 3-D images, there is a way to "have your system and read it too!" Oral radiologist, Dale Miles, reviews many of our 3-D scans. Having a radiologist review the images gives us peace of mind that he has caught any possible complications on the image that we may not be able to recognize. After all, when a patient visits an imaging center for any type of X-ray, a radiologist reviews the images. There is no reason in this digital age that private practice dentists can't ask radiologists to perform that same service.

Learning how to operate the 3-D machine was a fairly easy process. A certified imaging sciences trainer demonstrated the basics during a day-long training session; we learned how to position patients, set up the parameters, and work with the images. We have become more comfortable with it after working with it "hands on" with our patients. That's another positive aspect of this type of diagnostic device. Patients think it's really cool to see their teeth on the computer monitor, and are especially appreciative that they don't have to spend their time and their gas money traveling to an imaging center or hospital to get a 3-D scan. They also like the fact that they are exposed to significantly lower radiation than with traditional full-mouth X-rays or a hospital CT scan. We look beyond the "cool" and know 3-D imaging allows us to deliver quality patient care.

With this technology, we plan to grow our practice to a new level. It takes a little while to implement, but we can already see that our patients feel the benefits, and our referrals will increase as they tell their friends about our office. 3-D imaging has and will continue to add a new dimension to our practice, in many ways.

Kelly Rodgers Suchman, DDS, attended Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in psychology, and obtained her doctorate of dental surgery at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry where she graduated with honors. She gained additional training in treating complex dental problems in the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Certificate program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. Dr. Suchman is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, and a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Greater Kansas City Dental Society, the Missouri Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. She is a volunteer for Give Kids A Smile, a day devoted to providing free dental care for needy children, and Give Back A Smile, an organization to assist victims of domestic violence. Dr. Suchman is married to Dr. David Suchman, also a dentist, who practices in Independence, Mo. They have one son, Jacob.