News Release

January 10, 2008

Contact: Kristina Goodnough, 860-679-3700
e-mail: goodnough@nso.uchc.edu

UConn Health Center Introduces New 3D Imaging System for Better Treatment Planning and Care

Farmington, Conn. – The Center for Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry at the UConn Health Center has introduced 3D ConeBeam Imaging. This new technology, known as Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, is an X-ray imaging system that provides high resolution three-dimensional images of the jaws and teeth and can create limitless views of the face, neck and teeth for improved treatment planning and care.

The new imaging system is fast, simple and completely painless. Patients sit in a chair while the scanner, mounted on a rotating arm, makes a complete circle around their head. A single 10-second scan gives the doctor computer-generated views of the bones of the face, the teeth and other details from any angle, in three dimensions and in color. The technology requires less exposure to radiation than similar images obtained with medical CAT scanners.

“ConeBeam imaging is state of the art technology that provides us with high quality three dimensional images,” says Sanjay Mallya, Ph.D., assistant professor of oral and maxillofacial radiology. “It has a wide variety of applications including planning for dental implants, evaluating cysts and tumors of the jaw, analyzing patients with facial deformities and much more. We are delighted to be able to offer this service to our patients and to the dentists in the community.”

“This new imaging system is a very valuable tool for diagnosing, planning or evaluating treatment,” says Thomas Taylor, D.D.S., professor and head of the Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Skeletal Development and Biomaterials. “It allows us to call up onto a computer whatever views we need, even panoramic views of the entire mouth, and see the images from any angle and in different magnifications, to see the relationships between bones, teeth, airways, nerves and tissues. We can duplicate the data and share it with other providers as necessary.”

Appointments for imaging should be made through referral by the primary dentist or physician. To make an appointment, call 860-679-7600.

More information about 3D ConeBeam Imaging is available at http://conebeam.uchc.edu.

The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group and University Dentists. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. To learn more about the UConn Health Center, visit our website at www.uchc.edu.

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