Added: 02/02/2006 |
Computer Tomographs in Surgery, Maxillofacial AbnormalitiesComputer tomographs in surgery are now widely used. The first tomography scanner took a few hours to acquire data and a few days to generate images. The next generation of tomography scanners used a 0.2 inch thin beam of X-rays directed at several detectors. It was the first moving tomography device and the images were acquired by rotating the X-ray generator and the detector around a patient. Images were processed in nearly five minutes.
The second generation of tomography devices produced X-rays in the form of a fan, which allowed the time to be decreased even more. A rotation took thirty degrees instead of one degree. The third generation of tomographs reduced the scan time to ten seconds with the use of photomultiplier tubes. Improvements in the scanning technology were taking place along with the progress of computers. Faster computers promoted a faster acquisition of images.
Computer tomographs are now widely used in surgery as a diagnostic tool and a guide for surgical interference. Computer-aided tomography helps highlight structures like blood vessels and receive other functional information about tissues. Computer tomographs in surgery are used very often. One disease that computer tomography can help to treat is maxillofacial abnormalities. Maxillofacial abnormalities are congenital structural deformities, derangements, or other abnormalities of the upper, lower jaws, and face, or facial bones.
Maxillofacial abnormalities are mostly inherited ones. In addition to genetics there are other factors that may promote maxillofacial abnormalities. Tumors can cause maxillofacial abnormalities as well. A deranged bite is very uncomfortable for a person. Many people with seriously mismatched jaws, speaking, chewing and other manipulations, give a lot of unpleasant feelings. In most cases surgery can relieve this. Before surgical interference is involved, computer tomography is usually performed. Computer-aided tomography helps create a three-dimensional image of the maxillofacial area.
When it comes to a surgical interference it is better to perform it in the teenage years, once the maxilla, upper and lower jaws are developed. It is possible to perform such an operation earlier only if the deformations are severe. First of all, a surgeon diagnoses the severity of the maxillofacial abnormality. It is possible to do it very precisely with the help of computer tomographs in surgery. Maxillofacial surgery helps correct jaws and improves bite, and usually can be done in one to seven hours. Dento-facial deformities are corrected surgically leaving no facial scars because incisions are made through the mouth.
After an operation jaws are wired together to get accommodated to each other. Usually screws and bone plates are used to hold the maxillofacial bones in their new position. Healing is fast enough and a patient can resume functioning after approximately a seven-week recovery period. However, for the first time maxillofacial activities should be limited to prevent any risk of an impact that may hurt healing jaws. Computer tomographs in surgery are necessary to diagnose maxillofacial abnormalities and treat them correctly.
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