Ultra low dose CBCT images with high diagnostic value
The Planmeca Ultra Low Dose™ protocol combines high CBCT image quality with exceptionally low patient doses. It is the world’s leading low dose imaging mode for supporting accurate diagnostics and allows clinicians to safely see more than ever before.
CBCT imaging changed dentistry in a big way at the turn of the millennium. It increased diagnostic accuracy and opened up numerous new possibilities by literally introducing a third dimension to dental radiology.Over time, patient doses have decreased considerably as CBCT imaging technology has advanced further. Special low dose protocols have also been introduced. These days, numerous CBCT unit manufacturers offer some kind of alternative for low dose imaging.
However, all options are not equal. Many manufacturers struggle to maintain a diagnostically acceptable image quality at lower doses and the effectiveness of their so-called low dose options have not even been proven.
In turn, the Planmeca Ultra Low Dose™ protocol supports diagnostic accuracy that remains high even at incredibly low patient doses.
This is backed up by science. Planmeca Ultra Low Dose has been proven to reduce effective patient doses while maintaining a high diagnostic value.
An academic study by John Barrett Ludlow and Juha Koivisto determined that on average using the protocol lowered doses by an incredible 77% without a statistical reduction in diagnostic image quality.
“An average reduction in dose of 77% was achieved using ULD protocols when compared with standard protocols. While this dose reduction was significant, no statistical reduction in image quality between ULD and standard protocols was seen. This would suggest that patient doses can be reduced without loss of diagnostic quality.”
These benefits are available to all users – without restrictions. Every Planmeca CBCT unit includes Planmeca Ultra Low Dose as a standard feature. It can be used with any voxel size or imaging mode by simply pressing a button.
The effectiveness of Planmeca Ultra Low Dose has also been verified by clinicians all around the world. Read on to see what they have to say about the revolutionary imaging protocol!
All relevant structures at a fraction of the dose
Dr. Ceri Owen-Roberts carefully researched the available technologies as he prepared to add a CBCT imaging unit to his clinic in Bristol. He determined that the Planmeca ProMax® 3D Max unit and its combination of high image quality and low patient doses was the way to go. This decision has been a highly successful one.
“I am most proud of the fact that we can take such high quality scans with a low radiation dose. Making the decision to invest in a CBCT is made all the easier with the assurance that you can see all the relevant anatomical structures at a fraction of the radiation dose of a traditional CT. For my work with dental implants and oral surgery, this has been invaluable.”
- Dr. Ceri Owen-Roberts
Elgin Park Dental Practice
Bristol, England
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Significantly diminished patient doses
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Antero Salo is the founder of Qmedical, a high-quality dental clinic with several branches in Finland. He has been working in the field for over two decades and has seen dramatic reduction in patient doses during that time.
”We use the Planmeca Ultra Low Dose protocol, and with the huge leaps made in imaging technology, the risks associated with radiation exposure have diminished considerably, especially compared to when we first started CBCT imaging around 15 years ago. Nowadays, we can often make an imaging decision based on the indication – not the amount of radiation.”
- Dr. Antero Salo
Qmedical
Helsinki, Finland
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3D images at an even lower dose than 2D
When Dr. Chris Navarro took over his father’s clinic in Nottingham, he immediately invested in new technology. It has helped the clinic offer safe, prosthetically-driven treatments and Dr. Navorro has witnessed the benefits first-hand.
“I chose the Planmeca ProMax® 3D Classic imaging unit based on the fact that it offers Planmeca’s proprietary Planmeca Ultra Low Dose imaging protocol. This facilitates 3D imaging at an even lower patient radiation dose than standard 2D panoramic imaging, which is an important factor in the treatment of patients at my practice. The Planmeca ProMax 3D Classic produces good quality diagnostic images even with a low radiation dose, and I also like Planmeca Romexis®, the open source software platform of this CBCT unit.”
- Dr. Chris Navarro
Beeston Dental
Nottingham, England
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Dose does matter – that’s why it is minimized
Dr. Nicholas Hein considers CBCT images to be valuable and necessary, but often runs into concerns regarding patient doses at his clinic in Springfield, Missouri. Using the Planmeca Ultra Low Dose protocol has helped him put patients’ minds at ease and improve case acceptance.
”Dose is an emotional conversation with a patient. They’re scared. They know radiation is bad. And patients are not super concerned about the metrics of dose, per se. What they do care about is, ‘How does this impact me’? We’ve spent money on a machine that limits dose better than anything else in the industry. We use it to say to patients, ‘We’re on your team, we agree with you—dose does matter. That’s why we minimize the dose’.”
- Dr. Nicholas Hein
Springfield Dental Care
Springfield, MO, United States
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Shifting from 2D to 3D while keeping doses low
Prof. Dr. Axel Bumann is a renowned orthodontist, oral surgeon and dental radiologist. He is also the Executive Director of Mesantis 3D Dental-Radiologicum – a CBCT imaging centre in Berlin. Prof. Dr. Bumann thinks that the Planmeca Ultra Low Dose protocol has changed the scope of three-dimensional imaging completely.
”Our patients and referring colleagues are always happy to hear that the effective dose for certain indications is now even lower than in traditional 2D X-ray imaging. Since last year we have been able to replace the common CBCT protocols with the Planmeca Ultra Low Dose protocol.”
- Prof. Dr. Axel Bumann
Mesantis 3D Dental-Radiologicum
Berlin, Germany
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You can join the growing global ultra low dose imaging community by posting your story on social media using the #WeAreUltraLowDose hashtag!
Copy: Daniel Purssila
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