Typically there are three main ways for a dentist to diagnose a particular issue or see which treatments are right for you.
The first is a basic dental checkup, where a dentist will probe your mouth to check the condition of your teeth and if you need any further treatment.
If a dentist needs to check underneath your gums or where they cannot otherwise see easily, a dentist has a choice between an X-Ray and a CT Scan.
An X-ray is a very quick way to check for loose teeth, abscesses and problems with your jaw, as it can quickly produce a two-dimensional image of your bones.
On the other hand, for complex procedures or more intense diagnoses, dental CT scans are required.
A CT or computed tomography Scan is a series of X-ray images which are converted by a powerful computer into a three dimensional model of your mouth. It typically takes the form of a cone beam, which is a small machine which can quickly make accurate models.
It not only can produce a 3D model of your teeth and bone, it can also show soft tissue and nerve pathways.
Typically it is used for two main purposes. It is often used for preparing braces, typically as a replacement for dental impressions. Clear brace systems exclusively use CT scans to create a model which can be used as the starting point to plan your treatment.
As well as this, it is used as part of surgical planning, such as finding the right place to install dental implants, plan reconstructive surgery and detect implanted teeth for surgical removal.