You have a new CBCT machine in your office and you are excited. You want to get the most out of it,
which means you need to know how to position your patients. If you properly position your patients, your machine will take clear images that will help you with everything from diagnosis and treatment to undergoing complex procedures. Fortunately, there are a few tips you can follow that will make this process extremely simple. Once you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to getting the most out of your CBCT machine.
Check the Field of Vision
Make sure that the desired region is in the field of vision. For instance, if you need images of the left jaw, it needs to be in the CBCT machine's field of vision. Keep in mind that the field of vision can be very small for these machines, depending on how you adjust them. Typically, the FOV is only as big as the area that you need to x-ray. This is to reduce the radiation exposure. Because of that, it is important that your placement is perfect. Take some time to make sure your placement is correct. If you mess up, you could overexpose your patient to radiation or completely miss the spot that you need to x-ray. Both are terrible outcomes, so take your time with this.
Tilt the Chin
Tilt the chin so the desired scan area points toward the scanner. Doing this not only helps the machine get a clear image, but it reduces the radiation exposure dramatically. As a professional, it is your duty to reduce radiation as much as possible. CBCT machines already reduce radiation when compared to traditional x-ray machines. Reducing the radiation exposure even further ensures that your patients stay healthy and happy.
Ensure Your Patient's Comfort
It is easy to get caught up in the medical produce and forget about the comfort of the patient. CBCT scans don't take long to get images, but if your patient isn't comfortable, he or she will move and that will create a bad image. Ask your patient if he or she is comfortable before you begin the scan. That will help you get the clear image you need for diagnosis and testing. If your patient isn't comfortable, reposition him or her. At the same time, make sure the patient stays in the field of vision so you can get a clear image.
Once you get used to taking images with your CBCT machine, it will be a snap. You will get your patients in and out in a hurry. Start by following these tips. That way, you will get used to using the machine and taking clear images. Then, over time, you will feel comfortable with the machine. At that point, you can increase the patients that you serve. That is when you will begin to see a large return on investment for your CBCT machine. You will begin making more money and you will realize that your machine was a wise investment.
If you have questions about getting quality diagnostic images from your CBCT machine, you can set up a free consultation or take a look at our CBCT troubleshooting tips.
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