How Orthodontists (& Dentists) Use the i-CAT Flx CBCT for Low-Dose Imaging and Workflow Efficiency

This video shows how to use the i-CAT FLX for fast and easy low dose CBCT capturing. Then, I will show how to extract your 2D pan and ceph from that 3D volume. It's a very easy workflow for any dental professional to use, especially for orthodontics.

No time to watch? Get the recap below:

Orthodontists, general practitioners (GPs), and oral surgeons alike are using the i-CAT FLX to streamline cephalometric and panoramic workflows. The highlight? The Quick Scan+ mode, which delivers usable macro-level diagnostic data with just 11 μSv of radiation—less than many traditional 2D pan-only scans.

This is a huge advantage for orthodontic applications, where macro anatomy and alignment are often more important than high-resolution slices. It’s especially helpful for initial consultations, patient education, and planning.

In the video, I demonstrated how practices are using the QuickScan+ protocol to get diagnostic-quality scans at microdose levels, while simplifying export for panoramic and cephalometric imaging.

Ultra-Low-Dose, Orthodontic-Ready CBCT Scans

The scan used in this demo is Quick Scan+, the lowest radiation dose (11μSv) setting available on the i-CAT FLX. While the resolution is slightly reduced compared to higher-dose modes, Quick Scan+ is more than sufficient for many orthodontic applications, where macro-level detail (e.g., skeletal relationships, tooth angulation, sinus visualization) is often all that’s required.

Key Takeaway:
Quick Scan+ offers enough clarity for many clinical tasks, with a significantly lower radiation dose—ideal for pediatric and repeat imaging situations.

Understanding Dosage Benefits

To appreciate the safety and efficiency of the i-CAT FLX, consider this:

• Quick Scan+ (16×13 FOV): ~11 μSv

• 2D PAN-only machines: ~10–20 μSv per scan

• 2D Cephs: ~4–8 μSv

By taking one scan in 4.8 seconds (instead of two separate 2D exposures for PAN and Ceph), you dramatically reduce radiation exposure and patient time in the chair.

Efficiency + Safety:
Fewer exposures, faster scans, and a more seamless patient experience.

Exploring the 3D Rendering Tools

With the scan complete, you now have a powerful tool for patient communication and treatment planning:

• 3D View Modes: Toggle between bone X-ray and full-color renderings to better visualize roots, sinus walls, and craniofacial structures.

• Threshold Adjustment: Customize density visibility to highlight hard or soft tissues.

• 3D Inspection: Scroll through slices within the 3D model to show parents or patients root positioning, airway dimensions, or anomalies.

Pro Tip: Using the “Bone X-ray” mode helps highlight root orientation and relationships without soft tissue visual noise.

Image below: 3D Inspection, slice through your CBCT.

Reviewing 2D Cross-Sectional Slices

For diagnostic review, the i-CAT FLX gives you clean, scrollable slices in three planes:

• Coronal: Evaluate inter-root distances, impacted teeth, sinus borders.

• Sagittal: Assess airway volume, sinus morphology, and skeletal relationships.

• Axial: Analyze cross-sections of mandible, impacted canines, or molar roots.

Bonus: Adjusting contrast lets you fine-tune clarity. For instance, lowering contrast improves sinus detail—a subtle trick for evaluating ethmoid or maxillary sinuses.

Exporting PAN and Ceph Images

Here’s where the i-CAT FLX shines—fast, intuitive workflows for orthodontic records.

How to Export a PAN:

1. Navigate to 3D Panoramic view.

2. Adjust brightness/contrast if needed.

3. Right-click → Export Filtered Image → JPEG

4. Save to your designated folder (e.g., “i-CAT Images”).

How to Export a Ceph:

1. Click SE to generate the ceph automatically.

2. Again, adjust image settings as desired.

3. Right-click → Export Filtered Image → JPEG

4. Rename and save.

Output Ready:
Both images can be immediately imported into practice management or imaging software.

Final Thoughts: A Practical, Low-Dose Option for Modern Practices

With ultra-fast capture, microdose radiation, and seamless integration into imaging or case management software, the i-CAT FLX is a natural fit for orthodontists, general dentists, and surgeons looking to improve diagnostic imaging without unnecessary exposure to patients or technicians.

It’s no surprise the i-CAT FLX has become a go-to 3D imaging solution for modern digital practices.

Want to learn how the i-CAT FLX fits into your workflow?
Contact Voxel Dental for a demo, pricing, and personalized guidance on integrating CBCT with your ortho, implant, or airway diagnostics.

👉 Get in touch with Voxel Dental