CBCT scan
A three-dimensional X-ray of the teeth and bone, used especially to plan implants.
What it is
CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) is an X-ray that shows the teeth, bone and surrounding structures in three dimensions, not just as a flat picture. The dentist can slice the image in any plane and measure the bone exactly where needed.
When it is used
Before a dental implant, to see how much bone there is and where the nerve and sinus run; for lower wisdom teeth close to the nerve; for complex or repeat root canal treatment.
What it's like
You stand or sit still for a few seconds while the machine turns around your head. It doesn't hurt. The radiation dose is lower than a standard medical CT, and we only take one when it answers a question other images can't.
Reviewed by Dr. Voinea ·
CMDR Romania · Galați University of Medicine and Pharmacy · General Dentistry