What is i-CAT?

Regular dental appointments are one of the most necessary habits that any person can ever get into in order to keep a bright smile and remain as healthy as possible throughout their lifetime. Many specialists agree that kids as young as 1 should take at least two trips to their dentist every single year in order to spot and treat any number of health issues that remain pervasive in today's society. For those that want the absolute best chance at detecting some of the most serious ailments that take place in the mouth, i-CAT scanning technology remains one of the safest and most effective scanning systems in the world.

During a patient's biannual checkup, a few steps must be taken in order to protect the mouth and detect diseases and tooth decay. The first step is a visual inspection in which the dentist will be looking for any abnormalities that could be a tell-tale symptom of periodontal disease, oral cancers, or tooth decay. Some of the warning signs are swollen gums, discolored teeth, abscesses, and pimples on the gums. After this has taken place, most dentists will also offer a thorough cleaning of the teeth in order to remove plaque and tartar. This will dramatically minimize the chances of tooth decay and diseases.

In addition to these two basic steps, individuals will need X-rays of their mouths throughout the years. Based on the individual's own personal health history and their likelihood of serious oral health complications arising, these X-rays may need to be taken as often as every six months or as little as every few years. Conventional X-rays do come with some setbacks, and this is why many are now turning to i-CAT technology for all of their scanning needs.

There are two primary benefits of i-CAT technology. The first is the extremely limited amount of time that the individual will be required to have their scans take place. In as little as 8 seconds, all of the images will be taken. On top of the decreased amount of time that is necessary, there is much less exposure to radiation throughout the treatment.

Once the images have been taken, the dentist will be able to immediately access the digital copies. These copies can be zoomed in on and rotated in order for the dentist to see all angles of the mouth, teeth, gums, and jaws. This will minimize the chances that any oral health issues are looked over. These images can also be transferred between dental specialists so that individuals will not need to receive scans with each new dentist or specialist that they see.

For individuals that want the absolute best for their health and a smile that will remain bright and beautiful throughout their lifetime, i-CAT technology is one leading tools.

Dr. Ariz and Dr. Arami, Northridge dentists, use i CAT technology to provide more effective treatments for the patients.