Brockley Dental Blog, Dental Bridges, Dental Implants, Dentures, Mini Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

Why a Cone Beam CT is Your Key to the Best Implant Treatment [Video Snapshot]

Cone Beam CT in Butler, PA [Video Snapshot] | Mini Dental Implant

When looking for an implant dentist, you want someone who provides compassionate care. However, having a dentist who stays up to date with the latest dental technology is important too! At Brockley Dental Center, we say: why not both? Our compassionate team takes the time to listen to your concerns and personalize your treatment. Then, using state-of-the-art technology such as a Cone Beam CT, we provide effective, high-quality care for patients like you. This Cone Beam CT machine is essential for planning your implant treatment, as it provides us with a precise view of your most pressing needs.

At Brockley Dental Center, you don’t need to choose between a comfortable visit and the quality of your procedure. Instead, you can enjoy your time at the dentist and walk out of our office with a brand-new, quality smile.

What Is a Cone Beam CT?

Cone Beam CT, or CBCT for short, stands for cone beam computed tomography. This machine is a specialized X-ray that uses a unique scanning process to minimize radiation exposure and produce a digital image of your jaw.

By resting your head on the provided space and allowing the machine to safely spin around it, we can capture a 3D digital model of your jawbone! The image is incredibly detailed, allowing us to inspect your teeth and jaw closely.

During your initial consultation with us, we will use the digital image to determine if you’re eligible for implant treatment. If so, we’ll design a custom treatment plan for your smile, using the 3D rendering as a guide.

Why Is a Cone Beam CT Necessary for Implant Treatment?

For all patients interested in dental implant treatment, you will need to undergo a Cone Beam CT scan. This pre-planning step is vital to the success of your implants.

With a detailed image of your jawbone, we can better assess both its quality and quantity. To support dental implants, a strong jawbone is essential, which makes your CBCT scan incredibly important.

If you have enough bone to support dental implants, we will move on to the planning phase. If you don’t, we may need to look into other options.

But don’t worry! Not all hope is lost for those with minimal jawbone. At Brockley Dental Center, we offer an incredible dental implant alternative.

These narrow-diameter implants, or mini dental implants, fit into minimal bone without issue. In fact, if you’re ineligible for conventional implants, you’re likely still a candidate for mini implant treatment, even without bone augmentation procedures that rebuild lost bone.

Once we know you’re eligible for dental implants, we will use the 3D digital image of your jawbone to plan your implant placement. That way, we know where to place each implant for optimal results and which areas to avoid, protecting important structures like your sinuses.

Finally, with your treatment plan ready, we will move on to placing your implants and restoring your smile.

The Implant Process in Butler, PA

The dental implant process is simple, and even simpler with innovative mini dental implants. The mini implant placement process is as follows:

  • The initial consultation: During your appointment, we will get to know you and your smile, and find the solution that works best for you. Of course, we’ll use the Cone Beam CT to create a digital model of your jawbone and plan your treatment.
  • The placement appointment: At your next appointment, we will strategically place the mini implants in your jawbone. The process is minimally invasive, allowing your implant to immediately start stabilizing in your jaw.
  • The temporary restoration: To protect your smile while your implants bond to your jaw, you’ll wear a temporary restoration. This prosthetic will be functional, but not as durable as your final one.
  • The final restoration fitting: Once your implant is secure in your jawbone, we will remove the temporary prosthetic and place your final crown, bridge, or denture. From there, you can enjoy a full and healthy smile that stays secure for years to come.

But remember, without the Cone Beam CT, this process would be impossible. This innovative technology allows us to place your implants in their ideal positions, combining quality care with our compassionate treatment.

Experience State-of-the-Art Compassionate Care With a Cone Beam CT

In Butler, PA, Brockley Dental Center combines effective care with patient-centered solutions that focus on your comfort and well-being. Without the innovative Cone Beam CT, we couldn’t place your implants so precisely or provide you with tooth replacement solutions that are meant to last!

Book your consultation today for a Cone Beam CT scan to learn if you’re eligible for dental implant treatment.

Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook for more information on the mini implant placement process. 

Donald B. Brockley, DMD

Dr. Brockley earned his doctorate degree in Dental Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine in 1972. He is a second generation dentist and a legacy of the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine where his father, Dr. Charles R. Brockley earned his doctorate in general dentistry in the year 1927. While attending the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine, he held the office of Class Secretary for his graduating class. Following dental school, he chose to do his residency training at Wilmington Medical Center in Wilmington, Delaware, with a focus on research. Upon completing his residency, Dr. Brockley enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam War Era as a Naval Officer. Dr. Brockley opened his own private practice 1975 in Butler, PA a historic town just 34 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Brockley held the office of President of the Butler County Dental Society. After many years of practice, Dr. Brockley realized that fear is the #1 reason why people do not visit their dentist regularly. Therefore, he made it his mission to find an alternative way to practice (and to help his patients overcome this fear). This alternative was through Sedation Dentistry. In 1996 he became trained in Conscious Oral Sedation. This technique allowed him to treat fearful patients by gently putting them to sleep with the aid of a pill, not needle IV sedation which was the popular treatment at that time. Dr. Brockley received his dental training at the following institutions: University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA Tufts University, School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA University of North Carolina, School of Dentistry, Raleigh, NC Mini Dental Implant Training Centre, Buffalo, NY. Due to the high number of patients who are diabetic in his practice, his next goal was to understand the impact of Diabetes in Dentistry. Due to the subset of Diabetic patients in his practice who had similar recurring oral and systemic health problems, special attention became warranted. This led to a different standard of care and treatment for patients whose health was compromised by diabetes. Early detection, observation, evaluation and treatment to eradicate infection plays a major role in maintaining oral health for diabetic patients. Poorly managed treatment for diabetic patients has been shown to lead to a higher risk of uncontrolled gum disease and vice versa, making prevention of gum disease the #1 priority for this subset of patients. Dr. Brockley’s research on dentistry for diabetics led him to his next specialization: the treatment and eradication of gum disease. His aim has been to change the the treatment of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. For this reason, he designed a radically different protocol to the Soft Tissue Management (STM) program. STM treats the symptoms of gum disease, and more importantly, the underlying cause of gum disease, bacteria. Studies have shown that gum disease affects 80% of American adults. However, Dr. Brockley has observed that more than 90% of his baby boomer patients have gum disease. His unique STM protocol has shown significant success within his patient population. With patient knowledge, understanding, and cooperation, Dr. Brockley is able to arrest and manage gum disease in his practice. After perfecting his procedures for crowns, bridges, partials and dentures to replace missing teeth, the introduction of Small Diameter Implants (also known as SDI or Mini Dental Implants) into his practice has revolutionized the way Dr. Brockley practices cosmetic dentistry. Small Diameter Implants provide the possibility of full mouth restoration, multiple teeth restoration, or single tooth restoration. Small Diameter Implants can be implemented in all types of tooth and bone conditions, in all ages, and in all types of health conditions. Dr. Brockley uses Small Diameter Implants to restore chewing ability and create beautiful smiles, which ultimately changes peoples’ lives. Dr. Brockley is the proud owner and operator of the first Mini Dental Implant Center of America in the Greater Pittsburgh area. Dr. Brockley has achieved Diplomate status in the International Academy of Mini Dental Implants. He is the President Emeritus of the Butler County Dental Society. Dr. Brockley was also a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps. He is a a lifetime member of the Delta Sigma Dental Fraternity, and he was the Class Secretary for the University of Pittsburgh Dental School. Dr. Brockley likes to spend time with his family at home or while traveling, has been an avid scuba diver since 1980, and describes himself as a “just okay” golfer.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *