CBCT Scan Specialist

What is a CBCT scan?

A cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanner is a device that takes a 3D image of your mouth. With a CBCT scan, your dentist at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group gets a precise picture of everything inside your mouth, including your teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways, oral bones, and airway. 

The image from a CBCT scanner is incredibly detailed and can be viewed from multiple angles, which allows your dentist to get a more accurate understanding of your dental needs and conditions. This increased accuracy takes out some of the guesswork that your dentist typically has to do when working with traditional 2D X-rays. 

What is a CBCT scan used for?

A CBCT scan is used as a diagnostic tool for any dental procedure. It’s most frequently used before you have orthodontic work or dental implants.

In order for dental implants to properly work, you need to have enough healthy bone tissue in your jaw to support them. A CBCT scan of your oral cavity gives your dentist a detailed visualization of your jawbone depth, which helps them determine whether you need a bone graft to move forward with your implants. 

A CBCT scan also helps your dentist ascertain which area of your jaw will best support your implant. By enhancing the accuracy of your implant placement, a CBCT scan improves the likelihood of a successful procedure and recovery.

What happens during a CBCT scan?

Your CBCT scan is a noninvasive procedure that only takes a few minutes. Unlike body CT scans, dental CT scans don’t require you to be in an enclosed space. All you must do is sit in an exam chair and stay still while the CBCT rotates around your head. Unlike traditional X-rays, you don’t have to bite down on any plastic in a CBCT scan.

The CBCT machine gets a full picture of your entire mouth in just a few seconds. There’s no pain, downtime, or recovery, and you can go about your day immediately afterward. 

Are CBCT scans safe?

CBCT scans are very safe. The CBCT machine uses much less radiation than a CT body scan, and no radiation remains in your body after the scan.

To learn more about how the team at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group uses a CBCT scan to improve your oral health, schedule a consultation today by calling the office or booking a visit online.