According To “Dr. Wo” Wm. Randol Womack, DDS, Board Certified Orthodontist, Editorial Director, Orthotown Magazine

That Time of Year
by Wm. Randol Womack, DDS, Board Certified Orthodontist
Editorial Director, Orthotown Magazine


Every year around this time, kids start moping around while mom and dad start dancing in the aisles of Office Max and Staples – it's back-to-school time, aka, Mom's Independence Day! It's also around this time of year that my orthodontic practice sees record appointments of students whose parents want them to get in one last time before school begins.

I'm also happy to say around this time of year is when Orthotown Magazine presents its annual focus on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) 3D digital imaging. In the last few years, CBCT has been everything from a buzzword to a game changer in the orthodontic specialty, and it has been a major focus for this publication as we've looked at the possibilities and liabilities of this technology. Personally, in 2009, having returned from the Third International Congress on 3D Dental Imaging, my eyes were opened wide to the potential of CBCT and I'd written my September 2009 column about what I found and how I believed the technology would revolutionize the orthodontic profession. Ever since, we've looked at as many aspects of CBCT as possible, and will continue to do so in this and future issues of Orthotown Magazine.

I'm sure you noticed the special continuing education supplement in our July/August issue titled "Interpreting the CBCT Data Volume in Orthodontic Cases, Part 1" written by CBCT guru, Dr. Dale Miles. We are very excited to present this two-part series that Dr. Miles put together for you, and we are pleased to present Part 2 in this month's issue. Dr. Miles' previous contribution to Orthotown Magazine was in September 2009, and he closed his contribution by saying, "Do not wait! Get trained, get ready and get started!" That was two years ago, already! If you haven't, I implore you to go back to your July/August issue and tear out the first part of Dr. Miles' CBCT CE series. When you're finished with it, check out the second and final part in this issue. Even if CBCT is something you've only casually thought about, you owe it to yourself to read Dr. Miles' articles.

In this issue, we focus on the truth about CBCT radiation. The currently featured speakers on CBCT are being polled to compile a resource article to expose and refute some misquoted and alarming references to the "abuse" of using CBCT in orthodontics. In my practice, as well as yours, we require an accurate representation of this issue, to feel reassured that we are not only using the ALARA principle in our practice but also so we can confidently discuss the truth about this technology with our patients and their parents.

In addition to the time I spend working on Orthotown Magazine, I am already registered for the Fifth International Congress on 3D Dental Imaging, which will be November 4-5, 2011, in Dallas, Texas. If you are still considering CBCT, if you are beginning to utilize cone beam images or if you are regularly using cone beam technology in your practice, you will greatly benefit by attending the International Congress in Dallas.

As Dr. Miles declared two years ago, it's time to get trained, get ready and get started! See you in Dallas!
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