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Without CALM With CALM

Planmeca’s Product Development Manager Mikko Lilja

structure. To achieve a great image, then, a CBCT imaging unit addresses this problem by taking the unwanted movement into
that consistently performs to a high standard is one half of consideration. “Basically, we are virtually tracking the motion of
the equation. The other half, however, has to do with what – the patient,” explains Lilja, who is also the brains behind
up until now – has been the Achilles’ heel of all types of dental the revolutionary algorithm.
imaging: artefacts and noise. “The algorithm ‘makes’ the C-arm of the CBCT scanner virtually
“When you’re imaging patients, there are all kinds of artefacts follow the motion trajectory of the patient during acquisition.
you have to deal with,” says Mikko Lilja. “There might be metal in This makes the patient stay still in the imaging geometry, which
the patient’s mouth, the patient might be moving, or you might then translates to a motion-free image.” Indeed, the software has
want to use a low dose protocol, which can add noise. So these been optimised to handle even the most challenging cases in
are like an additional layer that you have to tackle to get that which offset imaging geometry has been used.
nice image.”
Noise and metal artefact removal has long been a standard Image is everything
feature of Planmeca imaging units. Two years ago, Planmeca In dentistry, image is everything. Before a single incision is made,
was also the first dental manufacturer to introduce an end-user an X-ray is always acquired to gauge the area of interest, make a
solution which detects and compensates for artefacts caused by diagnosis and decide what is the appropriate course of action. In
patient movement – Planmeca CALM™. order to get the best possible image to answer these purposes,
you need an imaging unit which can consistently deliver the
Motion-free image through virtual tracking three Cs: contrast, crispness and artefact correction.
Patient movement is one of the most significant challenges to There is, however, a fourth C which could also be added to
image quality, and especially livelier patients such as children can the list. Specifically, the third dimension that comes with CBCT
have a hard time calming their movements for the scan. At worst, can reveal hidden pathology in the mouth and provide new
the resulting image may be diagnostically unusable, necessitating insights into the present condition, improving your treatment
a retake and additional exposure to radiation. planning – and your confidence in it. Essentially, it’s about
Normally, if a patient moves during the scan, the image getting everything you can out of one scan and one exposure.
reconstruction cannot account for it as no information on it And with all four Cs in place, that great diagnostic image can be
is included in the reconstruction process. Planmeca CALM the one you take.◢

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