If you are considering dental implants, then by using modern technology, your dentist may be able to restore your mouth to a more healthy and natural condition than ever possible in the past.

Your dentist can now take advantage of a new procedure called a Dental CT Scan to make this surgery even safer and more predictable.

• What is a Dental CT Scan?
• How does a Dental CT Scan differ from conventional X-rays?
• What is IDT's role in this procedure?
• So why do I need such a specialised X-ray?
• Do I need to do anything special? And what will happen to me during the CT scan?
• What about the radiation aspects?
• So where do I go?
• How much will it cost?
• How do I pay?
• Can I claim the cost on my health insurance?
• How can I get further information?
• What is the latest legislation concerning patient exposure to radiation?

What is a Dental CT Scan?

Dental CT Scans use advanced computer programs to analyse an X-ray study. By providing detailed two-dimensional and three-dimensional images, Dental CT Scans enable your dentist to select the best location for your implants and plan the details of your surgery with pinpoint accuracy, well before the operation.

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How does a Dental CT Scan differ from conventional X-rays?

Routine dental x-rays are two-dimensional; they only show the location of your teeth and the height of the bone. These x-rays are often distorted, and they cannot depict the thickness of your jawbone.

A Dental CT Scan, on the other hand, is distortion free. It illustrates the actual make-up of the bone and provides three-dimensional and cross-sectional views of your jaws. The life-sized images allow your dentist to accurately measure the amount of bone that is available for implants.

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What is IDT's role in this procedure?

Image Diagnostic Technology Ltd. (IDT) has an extensive and vital role to play in this procedure. First, you have a CT scan at one of the hospitals we have chosen and trained to meet our Quality Assurance criteria. Then, the hospital will send the computer image data to IDT for further processing. Finally, IDT will send the finished results to your dentist in a format compatible with his/her requirements.

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So why do I need such a specialised X-ray?

Dental CT Scans help your dentist determine whether you are a good candidate for implant surgery.

This can save you an unnecessary operation. Because the study tells your dentist a lot more than conventional x-rays, it helps him or her better prepare for your surgery. A Dental CT Scan means your dentist will know the exact location of anatomical structures, the contours of the jaw bone, and the best sites for your implants before surgery. This means that there are virtually no surprises when your dentist performs your surgery. That means less operating time, and fewer complications for you. By sending you for this type of study your dentist is providing you with the very best possible care.

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Do I need to do anything special? And what will happen to me during the CT scan?

You do not need to prepare for the CT scan. You may be asked to remove any jewellery from your head and neck, so that it does not interfere with the study. Once in the examination room, all that you have to do is to rest face up on the CT scanner bed. Your head will be comfortably cushioned on a padded cradle, and a velcro strap will hold your head so that it remains still.

Keeping still for those few minutes that the scan takes, is very important so that clear pictures are obtained. Your dentist may provide you with a mouthpiece to bite on; this will separate your jaws and help you to keep them still. The rest is even easier. The bed will slide through the CT scanner and the study will take place.

The radiographer will explain each stage before it happens. You will not feel anything and the only part of your body under the scanner will be your head. In less than 15 minutes you will be finished.

After the scan the radiographer will send the data to IDT for processing and analysis on our computer. IDT will send the final results to your dentist. And that's all there is to it!

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What about the radiation aspects?

There has been considerable publicity recently regarding the radiation doses received for a number of medical procedures.

At IDT we are constantly working with our hospital scanning sites to ensure that the protocols they use, ie. the set-up of the scanner, is designed to keep radiation doses to a minimum.

The radiation dose received varies from patient to patient but is typically in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mSv. To put this in perspective, everyone in the UK receives about 2.2 mSv annually from natural background radiation, so an IDT Dental Scan corresponds to less than an additional 3 months of natural background radiation.

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So where do I go?

Your dentist will arrange an appointment at a hospital convenient for you.

Your dentist may give you an Referral Slip or Appointment Card to take with you to the hospital. Be sure to bring this with you, as the radiographer may decline to perform the study without it.

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How much will it cost?

Depending on what your dentist requires the cost will vary from a minimum of £200 sterling to a maximum of £750 sterling.

NB. At some hospitals you can pay at the hospital on the day of the scan, other hospitals do not take payment and you should pay IDT in advance.

Check with IDT if you have any questions and also be sure to discuss the exact cost with your dentist.

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How do I pay?

Some Private Hospitals will accept payment on the day of the scan. Please check with the hospitals/scanning sites or contact us.

For Public (NHS or Health Board) Hospitals, you need to pay IDT in advance.
Cheques drawn on a UK or Irish bank and made payable to IDT Ltd should be sent to:
IDT, Unit GC, 36 Warple Way, London W3 0RG

To pay IDT by MasterCard, Visa, Delta or Switch please phone IDT on +44 (0)20 8600 3540. All credit card payments are in pounds sterling.

Please ensure that payment is made no later than the scanning date, otherwise the results may be delayed.

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Can I claim the cost on my health insurance?

IDT is not registered with any insurance companies due to the nature of the product we provide, and as such cannot offer any assistance in this respect.

Many insurance companies do not pay for dental treatment or the associated imaging. Some insurance companies do cover this element of your dental treatment with 'add-ons' which can be issued at an additional premium.

Please consult your dentist and/or insurance company prior to your CT scan regarding this matter, as we cannot enter into any dialogue with the insurance company on your behalf.

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How can I get further information?

To get further information on CT scanning and related issues please contact IDT.

For further information on 'Implants' either speak with your dentist or contact the Association of Dental Implantology or British Society of Oral Implantology.

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What is the latest legislation concerning patient exposure to radiation?

UK regulations (namely IR(ME)R 2000 in the UK and SI 478 in Ireland) require that all medical exposures to ionising radiation must go through a referral and justification process prior to the exposure, and a clinical evaluation of the results must be made and recorded after the exposure. All healthcare professionals (including dentists and surgeons) must follow this procedure regardless of whether they are taking x-rays in their own surgery or sending the patient to a hospital for a CT scan.

Please visit our IR(ME)R FAQ section for more information.

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