CBCT of Airway

Do you know the components of your airway? Your airway is made up of several different parts, all of which play a critical role in how you breathe. The airway is made up of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, velopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx, and if one of these components is negatively impacted by injury, defect, or dysfunction, it can cause your breathing to be adversely affected, too, which can lead to both acute and chronic health issues.

So, how can you tell if a part of your airway is affected? While some signs may be obvious, such as when you have nasal, or sinus congestion related to allergies or illness, or you have swollen tonsils that make breathing difficult, issues with other areas may not be so evident. This is why we suggest that you come to Millennium Smiles in Frisco, Texas, for a CBCT of your airway to make sure every component is healthy and working as it should.

What Is a CBCT?

CBCT stands for cone beam computed tomography (CT). The CBCT is a particular type of X-ray equipment used by Millennium Smiles to get a deeper look, beyond what regular dental or facial X-rays can do. The CBCT allows us to produce 3-D images of your teeth, nerve pathways, bone, and the soft tissue components of your airway. It can also show us if your airway is narrowed in any area for any reason (think things like a deviated septum, nasal polyps, tumors, enlarged tonsils, prolapsed soft palate), which could reveal the reason why you may suffer from chronic sinus problems, headaches/migraines, fatigue, depression, hypertension and also breathing disorders such as asthma.

CBCTs are also used to help chart a course of airway orthodontic treatments. These orthodontic services are designed to help you breathe better and improve your overall health (see why breathing correctly is so important in this blog).

Additionally, a CBCT is an excellent way to get a glimpse of what happens in your airway when you sleep. This is because that during the CBCT, you lay back and the scanner can capture if your tongue falls back to block the airway, which could be a clue that you are living with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Find out what a CBCT reveals about your airway right here in Frisco, Texas. Call Millennium Smiles today at 972-430-2773 to schedule your appointment now.