CT stands for Computed Tomography which is a shorted version of CAT, Computed Axial Tomography. A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging method in which a computer is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the internal of an object using a series of two-dimensional X-ray image slices taken around a single axis of rotation.
Cone Beam refers to the type of X-Ray projection and is important because it allows users to image a small well defined volume such as the lower face and mouth at low radiation dosage.
That’s the definition, but what does it mean in the real world of dental diagnostics? One of the most important concepts to understand with Cone Beam CT is that the user is imaging a volume (like a model), not just a single plane (like a photo). However in actual use it is even better. That is because the user can not only view the model from any angle but the user can view inside the model as if the jaws and teeth were sliced with a band saw to expose a cross section. These band saw slices can be made at any angle, at any depth and can be viewed as a series of slices as if the user was slowly passing right through the body.
The image of a perforating mandibular lesion shown above is courtesy of Dale Miles. Find out more from Dale HERE [1].
[1] http://learndigital.com/