CT Scans and Dentistry
Q: I need dental implants. My dentist wants me to have a type of 3-D “CAT scan” with something called an iCat machine. It is expensive and not covered by my medical or dental insurance. Must I have this scan done; he has my X-rays?..Gigi on Jupiter Island
A: As strange as this may sound, I can answer this question due to my love for steak. My local implant study club has changed the venue of our monthly meeting to Morton’s Steak House. Now, I never miss a meeting. (Denny’s, just never got me to show up.) Last week, a well known University of Florida dental educator, Dr. Bill Martin, gave a presentation on implants. He informed us that only 8% of patients going through the university affiliated implant clinic required this expensive and sophisticated type of scan. A recent article in the NY Times showed that the companies that make these 3D scanners are paying some dentists to promote the device on the lecture circuit and pose in ads in dental journals. Currently, regular digital X-rays are just fine for evaluating the bone for implants and use much less radiation than any CT scanner.