Here you will find everything related to cephalometric analysis, digital radiography, Dental imaging basically everything ceph-related.

Comparison between 2D and 3D Cephalometric Analyses

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The cephalogram has been in use by orthodontists as a standard method for assessing the dental, soft tissue and skeletal relationships in patients for some time. 2D or direct cephalometric x-rayanalysis has been used successfully now for over 70 years in orthodontic practices. Currently, its status amongst orthodontists is stable although dental clinics start to use 3D cephalometric analysis as well.

Despite the fact the use of 3D X-rays are becoming more a part of dental practices, this doesn’t mean there is no meaningful role for 2D imaging still has a rightful place, that doesn’t suffer as much from the effects of radiation exposure.

Cephalometric radiography has developed as a key orthodontic diagnostic tool and before craniomaxillofacial surgery is considered. Typically, cephalometric factors are measured by using the two-dimensional cephalometric analysis on either lateral or frontal analysis. More recent studies have shown that 3D imaging presents greater reliability.

This 2D approachprovides a 2D view of what is unarguably a 3D object. The 3D technology is increasingly being accessed and assessed for optimal orthodontic treatment and results, but cephalometric x-raysare still the most common x-ray cephalometric analyses which in use by orthodontists. The 2D method does provide sufficient information which enables the orthodontist to make good judgments regarding the most suitable orthodontic treatment. In the not too distant future 3D cephalometric analysis are likely to be introduced more into orthodontic practices.

How a cephalometric scan is used

The process when doing a 3D cephalometric scan is a bit different when doing a 2D cephalometric scan. The 2D ceph is taken on the side of the patient’s head, while a CBCT scan takes place when the C-arm or gantry rotates 360 degrees around the head capturing multiple images in the process from a number of different angles which are then reconstructed to form a single 3D image.

After the ceph analysis is ready, the orthodontist can then make good decisions about treatment options for the patient. The 3D technique enables the orthodontist to calculate how certain orthodontic treatments will affect the patient’s jaw and the bone surrounding it. It also gives an idea of the growth tendency of the teeth and jaw. This information, if required, may also be used to decide on a course of treatment.

Similarities between 2D and 3D cephalometric x-rays

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) enables the orthodontist to get craniofacial measurements in 3D with good geometric accuracy. CBCT is also starting to target 3D cephalometric analysis. The one problem detected is the amount of radiation exposure that CBCT causes which is relatively higher when compared to more conventional radiographs. This is no doubt one of the constraints that will need to be addressed so many orthodontists restrict its use to high priority patients who need a detailed diagnosis.

One of the attributes of this technology for the orthodontist is the increase in diagnostic accuracy compared to 2D x-rays, particularly when identifying orthodontic conditions such as overlaid teeth, hidden nerve channels, impacted teeth, airways analyses and concealed roots or anomalies in the temporomandibular joint. 3D cephalometric x-rays are no doubt a useful advancement in technology but there are some features they share with 2D. The 3D cephalometric x-rays has higher exposure to radiation, but their images come in high resolution so they are clear to view.

When trying to locate an incisor tooth on a cephalogram when a patient is suffering from crowding of the anterior teeth these featurescan be located quite easily using the 3D method. It is also able to reduce the mistakes of identification and projection that lead to errors in cephalometric measurement.

Immediate cephalometric analyses provided by CephX

At CephX, we help orthodontic practitioners around the globe to save precious time and to receive an immediate and high-quality cephalometric analysis they now expect. Currently our service available on the basis of 2D x-rays only. We are determined to keep up with cephalometric analysis trends so we can meet the needs of our orthodontists who are starting to use 3D scanners more and more.

Once this feature will beready, you can expect the same cutting-edge service as you have been receiving from us up to now.

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The History of Orthodontics

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Have you ever wondered or had a patient ask you how orthodontics came to be? Maybe you read through the history of early orthodontists at one point in your career or have always had a personal curiosity about how things like the shape of brackets or the metal used in archwires came to be (did you know that one of the first archwires was actually a piano string?).

Although the most significant changes in orthodontia came in the last 200 years, there are actually over 2,000 years’ worth of history supporting the concern that people and medical providers had for tooth malocclusion.

According to the British Orthodontic Society, both Hippocrates and Aristotle (famous Greek physician and philosophers, respectively) described the problems of malocclusion as early as 400 and 350BC. Medical writers a few years later began recommending “treatments” like applying finger pressure or filing down the irregular teeth to address issues such as a lack of space.

The First Orthodontic Device

It wasn’t until the 16th century that human anatomy and medical interests sparked an advancement of knowledge in the treatment of dentofacial problems. By 1728, a French dentist by the name of Pierre Fauchard developed a device used to expand the arches when severe crowding was a concern. The appliance was made from a metallic band that was tied onto the teeth by waxed, silk ligatures. And in 1750, John Hunter is documented to be the first dentist to use a fully metal arch with metal ligatures.

Gradually, other dental practitioners experimented with preventative treatments, extractions of deciduous teeth, and using bite blocks with chin caps to address crossbites.

By the mid 1800s, dentists began understanding how the anatomy and placement of specific teeth played into alignment of the bite, combined with genetic factors and issues such as nursing difficulties during infancy. Types of occlusion were outlined to describe the variations of malocclusion and tooth placement around this time.

But Europeans aren’t the only ones to have incorporated orthodontic techniques or a concern about malocclusion. It turns out that Egyptian mummies have also been found with metal bands around their teeth, implying to archaeologists that an attempt was made to move them while still alive.

Modern Orthodontic Appliances

The first dentist to use screws and elastic bands to rotate teeth was J. M. Alexis Change. Although considered to be the first to use a long-term retention method after treatment, he is especially noted for completing cases in as rapidly as only three months. (Unfortunately, the remodeling process of alveolar bone wasn’t understood until the late 1850s.)

The 1800s held the most significant growth and discovery of orthodontic possibilities and treatment methods. By 1900, Edward H. Angle declared orthodontics as the very first dental specialty. In 1907, the European Orthodontic Society was founded and in 1926 the first international orthodontic conference was hosted in New York. By the 1960s and 70s, specialized programs and post-graduate training for dentists became standard.

Cephalometrics began to take on a special role in early orthodontics as dentists started to understand the role that teeth played in facial bones and soft tissues. CBCT technology made craniofacial anatomy and tooth positioning easier to assess prior to treatment, allowing orthodontists to opt for plans that would consider specific skeletal abnormalities or surgical procedures as necessary (both for functional and aesthetic purposes.)

Until the 1970s, modern orthodontists attached brackets to metallic bands that wrapped around the teeth. As new materials such as stainless steel began to be incorporated, lingual braces were also introduced.

The Shift from Metal to “Clear” Materials

The early 1980s brought about the invention of the initial type of “clear” or “tooth colored” braces, as ceramic appliances first became available. Some dentists even experimented with removable plastic trays as early as the 1940s. But it wasn’t until 1997 when 3D computer imaging (CAD/CAM) technology made it possible for orthodontic appliances to be crafted in a series of accurately designed removable trays. Invisalign, as it was called, first became available to patients in 2000.

Today, dozens of clear alignment and ceramic orthodontic brands exist. That’s not to mention the other modifications that have been developed over time, such as trap-door systems and changes in the types of metals used for their specific properties.

Although clear aligners were originally most effective for patients who had experienced orthodontic relapse or only faced minor tooth misalignment issues, today’s digital accuracy and treatment planning makes it possible for orthodontists and dentists worldwide to correct a variety of malocclusion and bite cases, including those more moderate to severe.

Digital dentistry and cloud-based treatment planning allows dentists to incorporate the skills of experienced 3rd party practitioners in off-site labs and thus build on the quality of care and types of services available to their patients. As a result, general dentists are also capable of providing limited orthodontics, comprehensive tooth alignment, and even accelerated short term cosmetic braces within their private practices.

Technology that Revolutionizes Orthodontics Around the Globe

As an independent imaging resource, CephX is able to work with a wide variety of the world’s leading orthodontic manufacturers and practitioners to provide cephalometric analysis to provides around the globe.

Do orthodontic scans, CBCT images, X-rays, and other intraoral imaging steps keep your practice from running as efficiently as you would like? Because CephX is fluid with other leading orthodontic support services, we’re able to help you take your dental business above and beyond your current capabilities without the headache of worrying about whether or not your software or imaging tools can integrate with one another.

Thanks to online tracing and automated analysis, CephX clients can access accurate and reliable treatment planning support for their orthodontic patients.

About CephX

At CephX, we provide professionally evaluated orthodontic imaging services to dentists and orthodontists around the globe. Your images are instantly transferred to a secure cloud-based system allowing professionals to resource the support and planning from peers in the field. Not only does this resource improve the quality of care and treatment planning for your existing dental patients, but it boosts the efficiency of your practice and limits out-of-office referrals.

To learn more about CephX, request a free consultation!

Read more about How the World Wide Web Brings Peer Dentist Together for the Better Good
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Case study – Dr. Ivan Goryalov

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About Dr. Ivan Goryalov

Dr. Goryalov graduated in dental medicine at the Faculty of Dental Medicine – Medical University, Plovdiv in 2002. Between 2006 and 2013 he specialized in the clinic of Prof. Wick Alexander in Arlington, Texas, USA. In 2007 and 2008, he got trained in “Surgical-Orthodontic Approach in Dentofacial Deformities” at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan.

Dr. Goryalov is the chairman of the Bulgarian Alexander Study Club. He received the highest jury award in the Dental Competition “ Smile of the Year” 2008, “ Smile of the Year” 2009, special jury award for complexity and excellent teamwork in ” Smile of the Year ” 2010 and award for complex esthetic restoration in “Smile of the Year” 2017

About USMIVKI courses

Dr. Goryalov began conducting CE orthodontic courses in Europe in 2008, and since then instructed hundreds of students in dozens of courses, focusing on the Alexander Discipline. His courses are both theory and practical, and include:

  • Bracket Positioning, Banding and Bonding – Direct and Indirect Technique, According to the Alexander Discipline
  • Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, According to the Alexander Discipline
  • Class 2 Deep Bite Mechanics in a Growing Patient, According to the Alexander Discipline
  • Typical Extraction Mechanics, According to the Alexander Discipline
  • Class 3 Open Bite Mechanics in a Growing Patient, According to the Alexander Discipline
  • Unusual Treatment with Mini-implants and skeletal anchorage system (SAS)

Following the success of his courses and the increasing demand, Dr. Goryalov is expanding his activities to new countries, and new office locations and courses.

The CephX Service

Dr. Goryalov teaches cephalometric tracing and analysis to his students, and for most of them it’s for the first time. “During an orthodontic course for general dentists I have to teach them a lot of theory in very short time, and streamline the transition to the practical part”, says Dr. Goryalov. “the CephX service makes it simple to get through the cephalometric analysis part – it’s an efficient educational tool”

CephX Artificial-Intelligence based algorithm performs automatic, immediate Cephalometric analysis, a template of dental and skeletal relationship of human skull, used by orthodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons as a treatment planning tool. CephX works from the cloud, providing service to over 1,000 users world-wide, also integrated into leading European dental-imaging manufacturers such as Sirona, Planmeca and NewTom.

“My students love the CephX service, since it gives them peace of mind with their cephalometric analysis – during the course and after. As an instructor, it’s important for me to ensure they are using the latest technologies, and CephX’s artificial-intelligence is a first of its kind” continues Dr. Goryalov. “It’s fast, accurate and simple to use, and as a web-based system it’s easy for me to help my students anywhere and anytime”.

Read more about ORCA Dental AI Recognized For Its Technology In A Recent Academic Paper
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Case study – using CephX in imaging centers

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Dental imaging centers, providing dentists with CBCT , panoramic, cephalometric and other imaging services, can leverage the CephX service to achieve better business outcome while keeping high accuracy standard across multiple centers.

About CT Dent

CT-Dent was established in London in 2007 by Mr. Kfir Atias, and has grown into a network running 6 branches across the UK, 7 franchised office in Europe, and is in the process of extensive growth throughout Asia, expecting to reach hundreds of offices by 2020.

CT-Dent provides the full spectrum of dental imaging services, allowing dentists to refer their patients to get all their needs taken care professionally in a 1-stop-shop, while freeing the dentist from the need to invest in expensive hardware and software and maintain highly trained personnel:

  • CBCT Scans
  • Digital Panoramic (OPG)
  • Digital Lateral Cephalometric (CEPH)
  • CEPH tracing Report
  • Radiology/Pathology Report
  • Digital Impression
  • Radiographic Template
  • Surgical Guide
  • Intra Oral Orthodontic Aligners Scan
  • Anatomical 3D Model

The CephX Service

The offices of CT-Dent provides a digital cephalometric radiograph of patients’ referred by their dentists. “Dentists sending their patients to us expect nothing but the highest accuracy tracing and professional analysis report. It is a challenge to train our personnel and maintain the professional level we’re expected to provide over time, and it is even more challenging to keep an equal level of accuracy across all offices”, says Kfir Atias. “Using the CephX service we know our cases are handled in a constant level of accuracy, and training is no longer a barrier for providing the service in new offices”.

CephX Artificial-Intelligence based algorithm performs automatic, immediate Cephalometric analysis, a template of dental and skeletal relationship of human skull, used by orthodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons as a treatment planning tool. CephX works from the cloud, providing service to over 1,000 users world-wide, also integrated into leading European dental-imaging manufacturers such as Sirona, Planmeca and NewTom.

“Since CephX introduced their AI driven ceph tracing CT-Dent is able to send back the analysis to the clinician same day, saving time and increasing their efficiency”, continues Kfir Atias. “Knowing that the AI service is backed by CephX highly professional and experienced team gives us peace of mind with our ceph tracings. We look forward for their future AI products for automatic implant planning, radiology reports and liaison diagnosis.”

Read more about The Use of AI in Dentistry is the Right Step Forward
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Case study – using CephX in full time orthodontics office

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Learn how Dr. Ballrik, a full time orthodontist with 2 offices, is using the CephX service to save almost 8 hours every month, while getting higher accuracy and peace of mind.

About Dr. Ballrick

Dr. John Ballrick runs 2 orthodontic offices in Fairview-park and Westlake, Ohio USA.  Dr. Ballrick followed in the footsteps of his father, Dr. James W. Ballrick who has practiced orthodontics since 1971. Dr. John Ballrick graduated Summa cum Laude from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He received his advanced specialty degree in orthodontics from Case Western Reserve University. His research on advanced 3D imaging is published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. In addition to his degrees and published research in the American Journal of Orthodontics on advanced 3D imaging, Dr. Ballrick has earned numerous awards and achievements including:

  • Robert E. Lauer Award for outstanding performance in the dental anatomy program
  • The Orville E. Russel Award of Excellence
  • 2004 Basch Memorial Scholarship Award recipient
  • Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Inductee
  • The William S. Kramer Award of Excellence
  • The prestigious Alpha Omega Award for attaining the highest academic standing
  • Member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society
  • The American Academy of Implant Dentistry Certificate of Recognition for outstanding achievement, both academically and clinically, in implant dentistry
  • The American Association of Orthodontists Award for exceptional interest in the development of the oro-facial complex
  • The Sanford Neuger Award for clinical excellence in orthodontics
  • The B. Holly Broadbent Award for excellence in orthodontic research

The CephX Service

Dr. Ballrick has 10-15 Cephalometric x-rays a week that requires tracing and analysis. “Before using CephX, I had my staff trained to do it for me. But the accuracy wasn’t exactly there so I found myself editing points and reviewing everything. Eventually I went back doing it myself”, says Dr. Ballrick.

CephX Artificial-Intelligence based algorithm performs automatic, immediate Cephalometric analysis, a template of dental and skeletal relationship of human skull, used by orthodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons as a treatment planning tool. CephX works from the cloud, providing service to over 1,000 users world-wide, also integrated into leading European dental-imaging manufacturers such as Sirona, Planmeca and NewTom.

“Before using CephX I used to spend 5-10 minutes to generate an analysis for a single patient.  When I did the math, it added up to almost 8 hours every month on Cephalometric analysis. Time is my most valuable asset, and with CephX I can spend this time elsewhere, not in front of my computer”, continues Dr. Ballrick. “Having immediate Cephalometric analysis can very valuable when patients come in for a consultation. I’m always striving to use the latest technologies in any aspect, and AI is the future for dental imaging.”

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and How the World Wide Web Brings Peer Dentist Together for the Better Good