Diagnostics & Imaging

Overview

Imaging at Tubigon is provided by Somosot Dental Diagnostics, a separate facility at the same address as the clinic. Its Vatech Pax-i 3D is a single machine that captures both a full panoramic X-ray (OPG) and a 3D cone-beam scan (CBCT). Because it is on site, your dentist can review your imaging with you during your visit, instead of referring you to a separate imaging center and waiting for results to come back.

Who may benefit

• Implant planning — assessing bone and the position of nearby anatomical structures in 3D
• Assessing impacted or wisdom teeth before extraction
• Root canal diagnosis in complex cases where a 2D X-ray is not enough
• Orthodontic planning with panoramic and cephalometric views
• Investigating findings a routine X-ray may not show clearly

When it may not be suitable

• The information is not needed. Imaging is requested when it is clinically justified for your treatment plan, not as a matter of routine, and not for every patient or every procedure.
• A simpler image answers the question. Many cases need only a periapical or panoramic X-ray, and a CBCT scan carries a higher exposure than either.

Examination and records normally required

• What the imaging is for — a diagnostic question, not a general scan
• Any previous X-rays or records, including the USB copy from another clinic
• Whether you are pregnant or think you may be

How Somosot Dental approaches this

• The type and field of view are chosen for the information actually needed, rather than defaulting to the largest scan available.
• Images come up on the clinic's EzDent-i software during the visit, so your dentist can go through them with you before you leave.
• A CBCT scan is supplied with prints and a USB copy, so the records travel with you if another clinician needs them.

Technology at the Bohol branch

• Vatech Pax-i 3D — panoramic (OPG) and cone-beam CT (CBCT) in one unit, on site
• Cephalometric X-ray, on site
• Digital intraoral scanners, so most cases need no impression trays
• In-house dental laboratory
• DJ89 Plus 8K resin 3D printer, for models, surgical guides and provisionals

This equipment is at the Tubigon, Bohol branch. The Cebu branch's facilities list does not include on-site imaging or a laboratory — ask the Cebu branch what your case would need there before assuming a scan can be taken on site.

Treatment stages

Important limitations and risks

• Dental X-rays, panoramic and CBCT imaging included, use ionizing radiation. Exposure varies with the machine, the field of view, the resolution and the protocol.
• An image is not a diagnosis. It informs one, alongside the examination and your history.
• Not every finding shows on every image, which is why the type of imaging is chosen for the question being asked.
• The on-site imaging described here is at the Bohol branch.

What affects the price

• Which image is taken — periapical ₱500, panoramic ₱1,000, cephalometric ₱1,000, CBCT ₱10,000.
• How many images the case needs.
• The CBCT price includes the prints and the USB copy; there is no separate charge for the records.

Aftercare

• No downtime — you can eat, drink, and go about your day immediately after
• No special care needed at the scan site, since nothing is treated
• Ask your dentist to walk you through the images before you leave, especially for a 3D scan
• Tell the clinic before imaging if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant

When to contact the clinic without waiting

• Nothing about the scan itself — there is no downtime and nothing is treated.
• If you are in pain now, say so when booking rather than waiting for an imaging appointment.

Frequently asked questions