Product Evaluation

PREXION, INC

Excelsior PRO 3D

For optimal treatment planning and diagnostics, Excelsior PRO combines advanced CBCT technology with superior image clarity and detail

Something just doesn’t feel right” is all a patient had to say to Dr. Kevin Shively to convince him that further exploration might be necessary. After 2 other dentists were unable to find anything wrong, Dr. Shively saw something that looked “different” on an x-ray and was determined to solve the mystery. He scanned the patient with his PreXion Excelsior PRO, a CBCT system with advanced 3D technology and top-quality images and, luckily for the patient, discovered “a very large periapical radiolucency that was draining into the sinuses” as well as 4 additional infections. “The patient had no idea,” said Dr. Shively, and neither did the 2 previous dentists.

This is just one example of how Excelsior PRO can elevate diagnostics and treatment for a dental practice and deliver what really matters—the best patient care possible. “Patients love how thorough it allows me to be,” noted Dr. Shively, who said CBCT scans save time compared to x-rays and give him “much more information than a panoramic and full-mouth series.” He said using Excelsior PRO enhances his digital workflow for implant planning and placement and allows for more accurate guided surgery

Ease of Use

With PreXion’s 3D Viewer Software, users can quickly capture and manipulate images for thorough diagnosis, securely send patient data throughout the practice, and attach 3D reports to patient records tocollaborate with referring clinicians—all with no hardware upgrades. Users can also access patient scans remotely, and Excelsior PRO is compatible with all DICOM-compliant third-party implant surgical guides and CAD/DICOM merging software programs. Endodontist Grace Chu called the software “easy to learn and use, and Dr. Steven Rattner said he appreciates being able to quickly transfer DICOM into patient files, as he does for implant cases, wisdom teeth extractions, and endodontic treatment.

Image Quality, Diagnostics, & Planning 

The Excelsior PRO includes 4 fields of view, 48 preset scan modes, a dedicated 2D pan mode, and an optional cephalometric feature. With a 0.3-mm focal spot, a voxel size of 0.08-0.2 mm, and 360° gantry rotation, the unit offers exceptional image clarity and minimal scatter for optimal treatment planning and diagnostics. Users can compare pre- and postop scans slice by slice and view inside structures while rotating the 3D image to isolate pertinent areas.

Calling image clarity and detail per slide “the best in the field,” Dr. Chu said Excelsior PRO provides better visualization of the tooth, root anatomy, and surrounding structures, and says images obtained with other equipment “don’t even come close” to the quality. She considers it “a must to have a preop CBCT for most cases” to help her anticipate anatomical complexities that are hard to detect in 2D. Dr. Allen Lee said the detailed information and graphics help improve his implant cases and give him a “better diagnostic, treatment planning, and presentation tool for patient acceptance.”

Hoping to become “a better diagnostician,” Dr. Chad Duplantis invested in Excelsior PRO and appreciates 3D views for endodontic cases, implants, sleep dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, and overall patient health. He said he feels “much more confident and fully capable of diagnosing,” and explained how he was able to diagnose the extent of an oblique subgingival fracture prior to treatment, ultimately restoring the tooth without any issues. “The high-quality resolution makes diagnosing more accurate,” shared Dr. Mark Evans, who said it improves his implant planning and endodontic treatment, and Dr. Hugo Artaza appreciates the “extreme detail,” which gives him a complete view of a patient’s dental health.

Practice Benefits

The Excelsior PRO features low radiation exposure for patient safety, and 3D animated videos of the full skull CT image enhance a patient’s understanding of a diagnosis and treatment plan. With improvements in planning, diagnostics, and overall workflow efficiency, this CBCT helps dental practices increase their productivity and return on investment. Viewing the scan results in 3D helps Dr. Chu’s patients “visualize and understand the treatment recommendations and longterm prognosis.” She said she can immediately capture and send images to referring clinicians, who are “always impressed when I highlight pertinent details that will improve their treatment planning and patient acceptance.” The ability to find and see things that are not normally seen in 2D has “ultimately made me a better clinician,” shared Dr. Roy Joseph. Pointing out that CBCT scans allow him to see things that cannot be seen on panoramic or individual x-rays, Dr. Artaza said, “Every scan taken on every patient allows for more thorough treatment.” With Excelsior PRO as a diagnostic tool, he is able to help patients with “head and neck evaluations that most MDs aren’t able to diagnose or see.”

"“[It gives me a] better diagnostic, treatment planning, and presentation tool for patient acceptance.””
Allen Lee, DMD
Las Vegas, NV

Overall Satisfaction

Since Dr. Chu added Excelsior PRO to her diagnostic armamentarium, she said consultations feel incomplete without it, and Dr. Artaza said his workload increased 70% since adopting the CBCT. Noting that PreXion provides excellent, timely support, Dr. Rattner said Excelsior PRO is a great value that provides excellent ROI and joked, “It’s my best friend (aside from my wife)!”

Takeaways

• A small focal spot, small voxel size, and 360° gantry rotation provide exceptional image clarity and detail

• Includes 4 fields of vie w, 48 preset scan modes, dedicated 2D pan mode, and a cephalometric option 

• 3D animated videos of the full skull CT image enhance patient understanding and case acceptance

• Quickly captures images for emailing and attaching to patient records for collaboration with referring clinicians

• Advanced CBCT technologies elevate treatment planning and diagnostics in dentistry