Contemporary Dentistry uses advanced imaging to bring greater clarity and confidence to diagnosis and treatment planning. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) delivers detailed, three-dimensional views of teeth, bone, and surrounding structures that conventional dental X-rays cannot provide. These images help our team see the full anatomy in context so we can recommend care with accuracy and care tailored to each patient.
CBCT scanning is fast, noninvasive, and designed with patient comfort in mind. The technology captures a precise volumetric dataset in a single sweep, producing distortion-free images that support everything from routine assessments to complex surgical planning. When used appropriately, CBCT is a powerful tool that improves outcomes while minimizing unnecessary procedures.
Cone-beam computed tomography combines a cone-shaped X-ray beam with a digital detector that rotates around the head to capture hundreds of images from different angles. Those images are reconstructed into a volumetric dataset, allowing clinicians to view cross-sections, panoramic slices, and full 3D renderings of the jaws and facial bones. This is especially helpful when conventional two-dimensional X-rays leave questions unanswered.
Unlike standard planar radiographs, CBCT shows the depth and spatial relationships between teeth, roots, nerves, and sinus cavities. Clinicians can examine thin slices through bone and soft tissues, measure distances with millimeter precision, and rotate images to inspect anatomy from any perspective. That level of detail is essential for diagnosing hidden problems and planning treatment that respects critical structures.
While the images look complex, the benefit for patients is simple: better information leads to more predictable care. The three-dimensional roadmap a CBCT scan provides reduces uncertainty, helping your dental team make decisions that are safe, efficient, and focused on long-term oral health.
Successful dental implant treatment depends on precise implant positioning relative to available bone and nearby anatomical structures. CBCT scans allow the dental team to evaluate bone volume, density, and contours in three dimensions, which informs whether a site needs bone grafting, the optimal implant length and diameter, and the ideal angulation for long-term stability.
CBCT also reveals the location of vital structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve and the maxillary sinus, reducing the risk of complications during surgery. Surgeons can use the volumetric data to create surgical guides or to simulate implant placement virtually, resulting in shorter surgical times, more predictable healing, and implant restorations that align with both function and aesthetics.
Because the scan captures the relationship between teeth, restorative plans, and facial anatomy, it helps the team coordinate prosthetic design and surgical execution. That coordination contributes to outcomes that look natural, feel comfortable, and last for years.
CBCT is valuable for more than implants; it is an important tool for diagnosing conditions that involve the jaws, temporomandibular joints (TMJ), and airway. The three-dimensional data can reveal joint changes, irregularities in condylar shape, and bony degenerative changes that may contribute to pain or dysfunction. Visualizing these structures in context supports a focused treatment approach.
When airway assessment is a concern, CBCT can help identify anatomical contributors to restricted breathing during sleep, such as reduced airway volume or skeletal structure that impinges on airflow. While CBCT is not a sleep study, its anatomic information can be instrumental in collaborative care planning with sleep medicine specialists and orthodontists.
CBCT also assists in identifying pathology outside the tooth — cysts, abnormal bone lesions, fractures, and impacted teeth — enabling timely referral and coordinated management with oral surgeons or other specialists when necessary. Detecting these issues earlier often simplifies treatment and protects overall oral health.
In endodontics, locating complex root canal anatomy and identifying subtle fractures or periapical pathology can be challenging with conventional films. CBCT provides detailed views of root morphology, accessory canals, and the extent of infection, helping clinicians determine whether nonsurgical retreatment, surgical endodontics, or extraction is the most appropriate option.
Oral surgery benefits similarly from volumetric imaging. For impacted teeth, planned extractions, and the identification of root proximity to nerves, CBCT allows the team to anticipate potential challenges and plan surgical approaches that conserve healthy tissue. That foresight reduces intraoperative surprises and helps protect adjacent teeth and anatomical landmarks.
When a case calls for collaboration between general dentists, endodontists, and oral surgeons, the shared CBCT dataset serves as a single source of truth that everyone can review. Clear communication based on the same high-quality images improves coordination and supports more efficient, predictable care pathways.
A CBCT scan is typically quick and uncomplicated. Patients either sit or stand while a small scanner rotates around the head for a period that usually ranges from a few seconds to under a minute, depending on the field of view. The procedure requires no injections or preparation, and movement restraints are minimal to ensure clear images while keeping the patient comfortable.
Radiation exposure from CBCT varies with the machine, the selected field of view, and imaging settings, but modern CBCT units can be configured to use low-dose protocols tailored to the diagnostic need. Clinicians follow the principle of ALARA — as low as reasonably achievable — and order scans only when the additional information will influence diagnosis or treatment planning.
Interpreting CBCT images requires training and experience. After your scan, a qualified clinician reviews the dataset, explains the findings in plain language, and discusses any recommended next steps. If specialized interpretation is needed, the images can be reviewed by an oral and maxillofacial radiologist to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.
Patients with claustrophobia or mobility concerns should let the team know in advance so accommodations can be made. For most people, the brief procedure is tolerable and provides valuable information that directly benefits their care.
At Contemporary Dentistry, we integrate CBCT thoughtfully into diagnosis and treatment planning to deliver care that is both precise and patient-centered. If you would like to learn more about how three-dimensional imaging could inform your treatment options, please contact our office for more information.
Cone-beam computed tomography, commonly called CBCT, is a specialized imaging technology that produces three-dimensional views of teeth, bones, and surrounding structures. The system acquires a volumetric dataset in a single rotation, allowing clinicians to examine cross-sections, panoramic slices, and full 3D renderings. These images reveal depth and spatial relationships that conventional two-dimensional X-rays cannot show, improving the accuracy of diagnosis and planning.
CBCT combines a cone-shaped X-ray beam with a digital detector to capture hundreds of images from multiple angles and reconstruct them into a detailed volume. Because the dataset includes position and orientation information, clinicians can measure distances with millimeter precision and rotate views to inspect anatomy from any perspective. That level of anatomic detail supports safer, more predictable dental care.
CBCT provides a three-dimensional roadmap of oral anatomy that reduces uncertainty and helps clinicians make informed decisions. By visualizing bone contours, root positions, nerve pathways, and sinus anatomy simultaneously, the team can identify hidden problems such as root fractures, complex anatomy, or pathologic lesions that might be missed on planar films. This comprehensive perspective leads to targeted treatment plans that address the root cause rather than relying on assumptions.
The volumetric data also supports more precise measurements and virtual planning tools, which are useful for implants, restorations, and surgical cases. Clinicians can simulate implant placement, evaluate restorative space, and coordinate prosthetic design before entering the operatory. That preoperative planning often shortens procedures, reduces surprises, and improves long-term outcomes.
CBCT involves ionizing radiation, but modern units and protocols are designed to minimize dose while preserving diagnostic quality. Clinicians follow the ALARA principle — as low as reasonably achievable — and select field of view and exposure settings based on the diagnostic question. Low-dose protocols and small fields of view significantly reduce exposure compared with larger volume scans, and the decision to image is based on clinical need.
Before ordering a scan, the dental team weighs the benefits of the information gained against the radiation exposure for each patient. Pregnant patients and those with special considerations should inform the office so the clinician can evaluate alternatives or take extra precautions. When a scan is justified, careful technique and modern equipment help ensure images are obtained safely and efficiently.
A CBCT appointment is typically quick and noninvasive, with most scans completed in a few seconds to under a minute depending on the field of view. Patients either sit or stand in the machine while the scanner rotates around the head; there are no injections or special preparation required for most exams. Staff will explain positioning, ask you to remain still for the brief exposure, and provide any necessary stabilization to ensure clear images.
Prior to scanning you may be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses, or removable dental appliances that could create artifacts. The procedure is generally well tolerated and requires minimal time in the clinic, and the resulting dataset is immediately available for review by your clinician. After the scan a qualified provider will review the images and discuss findings and next steps in plain language.
CBCT is a key tool for precision implant planning because it reveals bone volume, density, and three-dimensional contours that guide implant selection and placement. The scan shows the location of vital anatomical structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve and the maxillary sinus, enabling clinicians to choose appropriate implant length, diameter, and angulation while avoiding complications. This information also helps determine whether bone grafting or site augmentation is necessary before implant placement.
Using volumetric data, clinicians can design surgical guides or simulate implant positions virtually to translate the plan accurately into surgery. That preoperative planning often leads to shorter procedure times, more predictable healing, and implant restorations that align with both functional and aesthetic goals. Coordinating imaging with restorative planning helps ensure final prosthetics fit and function as intended.
Yes. CBCT is useful for assessing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anatomy, airway volume, and bony pathology that lies beyond the dentition. The images can reveal changes in condylar shape, degenerative bone changes, joint asymmetry, and structural abnormalities that may contribute to pain or dysfunction. Visualizing the TMJ and adjacent structures in three dimensions supports a targeted diagnostic approach and informs conservative or surgical treatment planning when appropriate.
For airway evaluation, CBCT helps identify anatomic contributors to restricted breathing such as reduced airway space or skeletal patterns that impinge on airflow, although it is not a substitute for formal sleep testing. The dataset also aids in detecting cysts, abnormal bone lesions, fractures, and impacted teeth, enabling timely referral and coordinated management with oral surgeons, sleep specialists, or other clinicians. Early anatomic detection often simplifies treatment and protects long-term oral health.
In endodontics, CBCT reveals complex root canal anatomy, accessory canals, and periapical pathology with greater clarity than planar films. That level of detail helps clinicians determine whether nonsurgical retreatment, apical surgery, or extraction is the best option and can improve the precision of root canal therapies. Detecting root fractures, missed canals, or unusual anatomy before treatment reduces the risk of unexpected findings during procedures.
For oral surgery, volumetric imaging clarifies the relationship between impacted teeth, roots, and adjacent nerves or sinuses, allowing surgeons to plan approaches that conserve healthy tissue and avoid critical structures. Simulated surgical planning and the use of surgical guides derived from CBCT data often shorten operative time and improve predictability. When multiple specialists are involved, the shared dataset serves as a consistent reference that enhances coordination and communication.
CBCT datasets are reviewed by clinicians trained in three-dimensional imaging, and when necessary the images are interpreted or co-reviewed by an oral and maxillofacial radiologist. The interpreting clinician examines the volume for the specific diagnostic question and for any incidental findings that may require attention. After review, the provider summarizes the observations and explains their clinical significance in clear, patient-centered language.
Reports can include annotated images, measurements, and recommendations for next steps such as further imaging, referral, or specific treatment options. If additional expertise or specialist collaboration is warranted, the dental team coordinates referrals and shares the CBCT dataset so all providers work from the same information. This streamlined communication supports efficient, well-informed care decisions.
While CBCT excels at visualizing hard tissues, it has limited soft-tissue contrast compared with medical CT or MRI and may not detect purely soft-tissue conditions. Metal restorations, implants, and motion can produce artifacts that reduce image quality in localized areas, and small field-of-view scans may not capture distant anatomy outside the selected region. These technical limitations mean that CBCT is a complementary tool rather than a universal diagnostic solution.
Appropriate use is important: clinicians order CBCT when the additional three-dimensional information will influence diagnosis or treatment planning. The technology should be combined with a thorough clinical exam and other diagnostic tests as needed, and images are interpreted in the context of the whole patient. When CBCT is not indicated, alternative imaging or clinical monitoring may be more appropriate.
Contemporary Dentistry integrates CBCT into diagnostic workflows when three-dimensional information enhances safety and outcomes for the patient. The team uses volumetric imaging to plan implants, evaluate complex endodontic cases, assess TMJ and airway anatomy, and detect pathology that may require referral. When specialists are involved, the shared CBCT dataset promotes clear communication and consistent treatment planning among providers.
After scanning, clinicians review the findings with patients in straightforward terms and outline recommended next steps or referrals as appropriate. The practice emphasizes conservative, evidence-based use of CBCT so that imaging supports precise, patient-centered care without unnecessary exposure. This coordinated approach helps achieve predictable restorations, efficient surgeries, and long-term oral health.