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June 7, 2001
School of Dentistry
SD installs
first dentomaxillofacial dedicated Cone-Beam CT in the United States
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| Kandasamy
Rengasamy, DDS, assistant professor, department of orthodontics,
demonstrates how patients are positioned in the NewTom
QR-DVT-9000. Patients who undergo studies using the new
equipment receive 80 percent less radiation than is delivered
by a traditional test. |
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| Pictured,
from left, Charles Goodacre, DDS, MS, dean, School of
Dentistry; Ivan Dus, MD, assistant professor, department
of orthodontics; Joseph Caruso, DDS, MS, chair, department
of orthodontics; B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, president, LLU;
and Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, chancellor, LLU, cut the
ribbon to celebrate the arrival of the School’s NewTom
QR-DVT-9000. The NewTom, which is in use in Italy and
Japan, is the first dentomaxillofacial dedicated Cone-Beam
CT in the United States and recently received approval
from the FDA. |
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A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held June 7, 2001, for the NewTom
QR-DVT-9000, the first dentomaxillofacial dedicated Cone-Beam CT
in the United States. It was acquired for Loma Linda University
through the department of orthodontics, School of Dentistry.
The digital radiograph machine, which is now in use in Italy and
Japan, received approval for use in the United States from the FDA
this year.
Manufactured by ZeroBase NIM, s.r.l., the digital radiograph machine
produces remarkably detailed images of the bony tissue of the skull,
jaw, and teeth.
During a 70-second scan time, 360 slides are produced and raw data
is stored in a computer.
Using three-dimensional mathematics, computer software can reproduce
two-dimensional or three-dimensional images of the desired location,
in any direction.
“A benefit of this new technology,” informs Joseph Caruso,
DDS, MS, chair, department of orthodontics, “is that the patient
receives 80 percent less radiation than is delivered by a traditional
test.”
The equipment will be especially helpful for children 3 years old
and younger; the nerves in their brains have not fully developed
and radiation can delay or impair normal development. Use of radiation
has also been associated with malignancy and soft-tissue sarcomas.
Referring patients for a traditional CAT scan is more expensive—with
much more information collected than may be required by the referring
dentist. The NewTom is compact and has been optimized to record
head and facial information.
As soon as the equipment is running, referrals for studies will
come from dentists (including orthodontists, prosthodontists, oral
& maxillofacial surgeons, and implant specialists); plastic
surgeons, and ENT physicians, among others.
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Volunteer faculty member travels to School of
Dentistry from Ojai each month to help teach Aesthetic Study Club
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| David Garber, DDS
(left), volunteer faculty, travels from Ojai, California, each
month to help teach the Aesthetic Study Club organized by James
Dunn, DDS, associate professor, restorative dentistry. |
On the second Friday of the month, a group of faculty, 40 community
dentists, and 15 senior students gather for the Aesthetic Study
Club.
They are there because they are interested in learning and practicing
the most recent techniques to restore teeth to the most visually
perfect state.
During the sessions, every aspect of aesthetic dentistry is presented—including
porcelain veneers and all-porcelain crowns; use of photography;
and posterior direct and indirect restorations. The day begins with
a lecture in the School of Dentistry’s auxiliary lab, followed
by clinic in the afternoon where participants complete thorough,
hands-on learning.
One of the study group’s three volunteer leaders is David Garber,
DDS, who owns a private dental practice in Ojai.
It may seem unusual that Dr. Garber would leave the beauty, peace,
and quiet of his hometown and travel hundreds of miles to the School
each month—he is not an alumnus and he uses his own vacation
time to complete the year-long commitment.
Dr. Garber first became acquainted with the School of Dentistry
about 10 years ago when he assisted James Dunn, DDS. associate professor
of restorative dentistry, in an aesthetic workshop at the California
Dental Association Meeting in Anaheim.
Dr. Garber found Dr. Dunn easy to work with, and his interest in
the discipline soon drew him to become involved with the School’s
aesthetic dentistry programs. As his interaction with the School’s
faculty and students increased, he began to sense a distinct difference
in the School from his alma mater.
“I’ve found a different atmosphere [at Loma Linda] than
I experienced when I was in school,” comments Dr. Garber. “Here,
the faculty serve as mentors to the students—there seems to
be a friendlier atmosphere. I am very impressed with the students
here. At Loma Linda, I’ve found an atmosphere of sharing, openess,
and friendliness.”
Dr. Garber appreciates working with Edward Shellard, DDS, vice-president
for research and development, Kerr Corporation; and Jack Ringer,
DDS, volunteer from Yorba Linda. He has also found Carlos Munoz,
DDS, MSD, professor and director, Center for Dental Research, LLU,
to be an excellent resource who provides the most recent information.
“My affiliation with the School of Dentistry has made me a
better dentist,” informs Dr. Garber, “and helping with
the Aesthetic Study Club is a wonderful way for me to give something
back.”
In addition to serving as a volunteer faculty, Dr. Garber is a consistent
donor to the School, and has donated a clinic chair.
To learn more about the Aesthetic Study Club, access <http://www.llu.edu/llu/dentistry/cde/aestheticstudyclub.htm>.
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Loma Linda University. All rights reserved.
Revised
Friday, June 15, 2001 10:41 AM
Send comments and questions to webmaster@univ.llu.edu
URL: http://www.llu.edu/
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