Dental CBCT

What is dental CBCT?

A CBCT or Cone Beam Computed Tomography is a type of scan called Cone Beam Computed Tomography, this means that in this test a special type of X-rays are used, emitted in a conical shape. Thanks to this particularity, with a single 360-degree rotation, 3D images of the teeth, soft tissues, bones and nerves of the desired area are obtained. In contrast, in conventional dental Tac, several rotations are required due to its “fan-shaped” projection of the X-rays.

It is a type of scan to see inside the patient without having to open up, which uses X-rays fired from different angles to capture a cross-section of images inside the body. It can be used to identify a range of medical complications and some modern scanners even allow the images to be assembled into a virtual 3D model.

Dental CBCT scans are done with a chair or table for the patient and the CBCT scanner rotates around the patient’s head, capturing hundreds of images that are then assembled into a 3D model.

What does it consist of?

The patient sits in a chair or lies on the table connected to the scanner. The X-ray source and detector, positioned opposite each other on a C-arm or gantry, rotate together in a 360° sweep around the patient’s head, capturing multiple images from different angles. In a single rotation, up to 200 high-resolution 2D images can be taken. These are then digitally assembled into a 3D model, which can be evaluated by the dentist.

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In dental CBCT, X-rays are emitted in a conical shape.

What is a dental CBCT scan used for?

Dental CBCT is used for orthodontic treatment planning, such as surgical planning of implanted teeth, dental implants and reconstructive surgery. It can also be used to diagnose certain conditions, such as temporomandibular joint disorder and to evaluate the jaw, sinuses, nasal cavity and nerve canals.

How can you prepare for a dental CBCT scan?

There is no special preparation for CBCT, but your dentist will ask you to remove any metal objects (jewelry, glasses, hearing aids, etc.) before the procedure. Since the exam involves x-rays, women should inform the dentist if they are pregnant.

What does the procedure feel like?

You should not feel anything different during the exam, as it is completely painless; and you can return to normal activities right afterward.

What are the benefits/risks of a dental CBCT scan?

There are advantages to having a CBCT scan versus using regular dental radiographs or other scans:

  • Better image quality.
  • The scan creates images from many angles, which can be digitally manipulated, allowing for a more complete evaluation.
  • Painless and non-invasive
  • High-precision scans that provide more detail than conventional X-rays
  • Imaging of soft tissue and bone simultaneously
  • No radiation remains in the patient’s body after the test.
  • There should be no immediate side effects.