Acacia Family Dentistry & Implant Center in Englewood, California is one of a small but growing number of general dental practices equipped with its own cone-beam 3-D imaging system. Partners Dr. Damien Mulvany and Dr. Mark Novelen decided that a major practice remodeling was the perfect opportunity to update the practice to digital technology.
“We have a very comprehensive practice, said Dr. Novelen. “We do everything from implant dentistry and TMJ dysfunction treatment to surgery and orthodontics, reconstructive dentistry and more. We included cone-beam in the digital upgrade because we know that viewing the human structure in its three-dimensional natural state would give us more diagnostic ability and more treatment options.”
After researching several systems, Drs. Mulvany and Novelen decided on the Suni3D.
“3D imaging has been very helpful in evaluating ‘cracked teeth’ — arguably the most common emergency in a general practice,” noted Dr. Mulvany. “The images speak for themselves. We always have the patient watch us as we rotate the tooth in real time. The patient can easily see the fracture or not, which makes the treatment recommendation much easier...extract and an implant or keep and crown.”
“We use our cone beam system on patients every day, so why rely on two-dimensional images?” Dr. Mulvany continued. “After almost 30 years of practice, I have tremendous respect for 2D imaging. We still rely upon BWS, panos & PAs. They have served us well and will continue to be important.
“But, the ability to view teeth and periapical structures from a 3D perspective has given us much greater diagnostic capabilities, which in turn translate to greater patient confidence and higher case acceptance. When the patients can see the failing root canal with sinus involvement, they are much more likely to agree to an implant and crown than from a fuzzy 2D PA.