At Montana Pet Dentistry and Oral Surgery, we always strive to offer your companion animals the highest-quality dental and oral surgical care. Currently, we are the only veterinary hospital using the VetCat Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scanner for cats and dogs in the state of Montana! This CT scanner is a cutting-edge technology that we use to diagnose and treat a variety of dental diseases and conditions that would otherwise go undetected. Designed specifically for veterinary use, it can easily be moved to the patient while they are anesthetized, rather than having to move the patient.
What is a Cone Beam CT Scanner?
Cone Beam CT Scanners are different from traditional helical CT technology, which are used to take images in slices and have several downsides, including increased radiation dosing to the patient. A cone beam CT technology is ideal for dental patients and provides better detail of teeth and bone than a traditional CT machine. Cone beam CT machines are also much faster and involve a lower radiation dose, which is safer for your pet as well as our staff members.
What are the advantages of CBCT scans for cats & dogs?
In veterinary dentistry, there are quite a few advantages to performing a CT scan on your dog or cat rather than just relying on dental X-rays.. The primary advantage is that a CT scan provides a three-dimensional image, while an x-ray only shows two dimensions. This allows us to assess areas where teeth are hidden behind another tooth, as well as viewing an area of interest from different angles. The three-dimensional image provided by the CBCT Scanner helps us visualize any oral pathology that we may not have been able to detect in an x-ray or routine oral exam. This enables us to eliminate any doubt when making our diagnosis and coming up with a treatment plan.
In addition to the three-dimensional view, the VetCat Cone Beam CT scanner provides excellent detail and clarity of images. It can be used for finding undetected pathology in seemingly “routine” procedures, such as oronasal fistulas, facial trauma, dental injuries, fractures, embedded teeth, areas of bone loss hidden under the gumline, displaced and/or retained roots, nasal tumors, oral masses and many other hidden painful problems. Using the ConeBeam CT plus dental X-rays gives us the most comprehensive view of your pets oral health.
With a CT scan, we can also visualize the TMJ (temporomandibular joints) as well as the ear canal and middle ear. The ability to see images in three dimensions provides guidance for the best and least invasive treatment options.
The Cone Beam CT Scanner is fast, too. Images can be taken in just seconds, and we can get a much clearer idea of what issues we’re working with in under two minutes. This is much faster than traditional CT equipment.
CT Scans for Cats and Dogs at Montana Pet Dentistry and Oral Surgery
If your pet is having oral health or dental issues but you just can’t seem to find the cause, bring them to Montana Pet Dentistry and Oral Surgery for a VetCat Cone Beam CT scan so that we can accurately diagnose and treat the problem. Call our office today with any questions or to schedule an appointment!