Why would the doc want a cat-scan?

Question

Has anyone heard of someone having a CAT Scan done before having their wisdom teeth taken out? The oral surgeon performing my husbands extraction says his tooth is close to a nerve so he wants to do a scan to see where it is exactly. I had a nerve wrapped around a tooth and didn't have to have a scan, they just broke up the tooth and pulled it out.....so I'm wondering if the guy is just making money from our insurance?? Why would he want this scan?

Answer 1

Yes cat scans are being used more and more in dentistry and it will give a better picture of where the tooth is in a 3D format, its more accurate

Answer 2

A CT (or CAT) Scan can actually by a very good diagnostic tool, especially when the wisdom tooth is very close to the jaw nerve.  I would definately have this scan done, because it will give your surgeon cross-sectional information at 1mm interval slices about a certain area.  This will help him remove the tooth more safely by negotiating around the jaw nerve better.  Or he may just suggest that it is too risky to take the wisdom teeth out all together.  Either way the CT scan can be of great help.