If your dentist requires a dental CT scan to plan your treatment or make a diagnosis, book with one of our dental experts.
To check this is the right scan for you, chat to our friendly clinicians via a phone consultation.
Book nowA cone beam CT scan is a specialised imaging technique that uses CT technology to produce 3D images of your entire mouth, including your teeth, upper and lower jawbones, nerves and soft tissues.
CBCT scanning is usually performed in a specialist scanning centre or hospital, as it requires specific equipment not typically found in a regular dental practice.
A CBCT scan produces comprehensive, 3D images of the whole mouth, including the:
Structure of the teeth, including any fractures, infection or decay
Positioning of the teeth and their roots
Condition of the gums, including any infections, cysts, abscesses or tumours
Shape, density and positioning of the bones of the jaw, including any fractures or abnormalities
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ), where the upper and lower jaw meet
Positioning of the facial nerve canals and how close they are to the roots of each tooth
Positioning and health of the sinuses
It will also highlight the cause of any restrictions in the airways and any other abnormalities such as tumours, infections or cysts.
A CBCT scan uses X-rays beamed from various angles to create images of your mouth, teeth and jaw. CBCT scans are usually performed by a medical professional called a radiographer, who is trained in dental scanning.
As the X-ray beams pass through your body, they slow down as they encounter tissues of different densities, such as the denser teeth and bones and the less dense soft tissues.
Computers detect how much the X-rays have slowed down and turn these differences into multiple 2D images. These 2D images are then collated by computer programming and turned into a highly detailed 3D image.
Cone Beam CT scans are routinely used by dentists to diagnose oral health conditions and to plan oral procedures.
One quick CBCT scan produces a range of 360°, three-dimensional images that can be used to fully assess your oral health and meticulously plan oral surgery.
CBCT scans produce highly detailed images of the teeth, bones, nerves and soft tissues simultaneously, more than can be achieved with a standard dental X-ray.
A cone beam CT scan is a non-invasive dental imaging procedure suitable for most patients and has a lower radiation exposure risk than a CT scan of the body.
Your appointment takes less than an hour, you’ll have your results in days, and you can easily and securely send your images to your dentist.
A CBCT scan creates more detailed images than a standard dental “bite” X-ray that focuses on one or two teeth. Your dentist will let you know if you need a specialist dental CT scan. Dentists use CBCT scan results to help diagnose dental conditions and to plan surgeries and orthodontic procedures, such as:
Teeth, often wisdom teeth, that cannot grow through the gum due to growing at the wrong angle or a lack of space.
Temporomandibular joint disorder describes a range of issues that affect the muscles and bones of the jaw at the joint where the upper and lower jawbones meet, causing stiffness and facial pain.
Dental implants require meticulous planning to ensure there’s enough space within the gum for an effective implant and that the implant doesn’t touch a nerve.
CBCT scans help dentists evaluate the condition of the jaw and diagnose the cause of jaw pain and stiffness. They’re also used to assess jaw fractures following an accident or injury.
CBCT scans also evaluate sinus health and diagnose conditions such as sinusitis and nasal polyps.
To perform any dental surgery or procedure, dentists need to be aware of the location of the nerve canals and how close they are to the teeth, bones and soft tissues of the mouth and jaw.
Non-cancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) growths affecting the bone or surrounding soft tissues of the jaw.
Understanding the strength and structure of the jawbones and where the teeth, including their roots, are located helps dentists plan oral surgery and orthodontic procedures.
A cephalometric analysis is a 360° CT scan of the head, derived from CBCT images. It’s used to diagnose conditions such as an overbite and misaligned teeth before fitting braces or performing orthodontic procedures.
Reconstructive dental or oral surgery requires precise planning and evaluation of the location and condition of the teeth, bones and soft tissues in the mouth and jaw.
Since all CT scans use X-rays, you’ll be exposed to a very low level of radiation during a CBCT scan. Radiation exposure from a CBCT scan is slightly higher than from a standard dental X-ray, but lower than from a conventional CT body scan.
Radiation exposure is linked to a very small risk of developing some types of cancer later on in life. Since the radiation from a CBCT is low, it’s unlikely to cause any harm, and the benefits of your dental care will outweigh the risks.
CBCT scans require very little preparation, but there are a few things you should do prior to your appointment:
Brush and floss your teeth
Wear loose-fitting clothing on your top half and avoid wearing anything fitted around your neck, such as a rollneck jumper, a shirt with a tightly fitted collar, a tie or a scarf
Remove any necklaces, earrings, hair accessories, glasses or hearing aids
Remove any dentures (unless instructed otherwise)
Inform your radiographer if you’re pregnant or may be pregnant. Also, let them know if you think you might struggle to remain still throughout your scan or if you’re claustrophobic.
You’ll be asked to sit or stand in the scanning machine, with your forehead and chin resting comfortably.
You may need to bite on a mouth plate, and you’ll be asked to remain still and avoid talking or swallowing at certain points during the scan.
Your radiographer will operate the CT scanning machine remotely. It will move slowly around your head while you remain still.
You may need more than one scan rotation, and the whole process takes around 15 minutes. You won't feel anything during your CBCT scan.
Once your scan is complete, you’ll be able to go home and return to your normal duties that same day. You can eat and drink as normal following a CBCT scan.
Your dental CT scan results will be ready within a few days. They’ll be sent to you electronically so that you can share them with your dentist.
Our private CBCT scans start from £195. We have centres available across the UK, and you don't need a referral to book with us.
Book a CBCT scan using our easy online booking system. You’ll have your results in days, meaning that your dentist can get on with their expert care with the knowledge and confidence a high-quality scan provides.
Booking a dental CT scan with Scan.com is simple. With no waiting lists, choose from our UK-wide network of clinics for fast, high-quality scan results in days and full clinician support when you need it.
A standard dental “bite” X-ray can be performed by your regular dentist, but it may not give them all the information they need to diagnose any oral problems you have or plan any treatment you may need.
Yes, CBCT scans are considered safe, non-invasive and painless. Radiation exposure from CBCT scans is very low and unlikely to cause any future harm. However, your medical team may decide against a CBCT if you’re pregnant.
A CBCT scan takes around 15 minutes.
CBCT scan images are used by dentists to evaluate available space in the gum and the location of the nerve canals to perform safe and effective dental implant surgery.