Vatech Case Study · Hidden Surprise in Maxilla
There are many instances in everyday dental practice where the accuracy of a seemingly simple diagnosis might be in danger due to the lack of information that can be provided by the dental imaging equipment without the use of 3D imaging.
The treatment of the patient in today’s case is a prime example of this problem. The patient was routinely scanned before a dental procedure. They seemed ready for the procedure after an OPG scan, but the dentist decided to take a 3D CBCT image as well because of the asymmetry in the maxilla region.
The 3D CBCT image shows that the patient has a hidden tooth in his right maxilla region which could have caused serious complications if not discovered in time.
Today, we will get a closer look at the tools used in this diagnostic process so that you can elevate your workflow as well. If you want to see a quick overview of the case, you can do so in the video at the end of the article.
We used three main tools provided by Vatech software, Ez3D-i, in this particular case:
1) Clipping
2) “Double click”
3) Measurements
1) Clipping
Clipping is a great tool for cutting the 3D image and discovering hidden anatomical structures. This function can help with finding issues that OPG images might not catch.
There are 3 different planes – axial, coronal, and sagittal. We are free to use a plane according to our diagnostic needs.
Smart clipping is a convenient AI alternative tool which changes the shown plane in the 3D rendering image according to the angle used to view the scan.
In our case, the doctor used clipping on an axial plane to look into the bone. With this tool, it is very easy to discover any hidden structures and prevent potential complications in treatment.
2) Double Click
Function „double click“ offeres a great convinience in your workflow because it helps you find the needed information through smart zoom. This means that if we find the problematic area in the 3D image and double click it, the AI-driven tool will recognize the same spot in all of the planes automatically. This allows for fast and error-free diagnostic.
It is one of many convenient shortcuts that Vatech software offers.
3) Measurements
In addressing various diagnostic concerns, measurments come in handy for dentists. A proper measurement can often be the difference in between a complication and a successful treatment.
However, OPG images do not always provide the needed information for proper measurement and the distance can be quite distorted.
Distortion is not a concern for Ez3D-i users because the software is equiped with multiple different measuring options, such as the measurement of length, multi length, angles, or a circle radius. All of these functions can be done with the help of informations gathered during the 3D scan so their accuracy is way higher.
As you can see in the case of the patient, the tooth hidden in maxilla is way closer than it seems on a regular OPG scan. This could potentially cause some trouble during the procedure. The dentist noticed the closeness just in time to prevent damage.
Here is a quick overview of how we used the functions mentioned above to do a diagnosis of the patient.
If you have any pointers or questions, please, contact us, we would love to get your professional experience on the matter of diagnosis.
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