What is Cone Beam CT?
A Cone Beam CT (CBCT) is a low dose CT that allows imaging of the jaws in 3-dimensions, and provides and accurate representation of these in different views.

How is a Cone Beam CT taken?
You will be required to sit/stand in front of the CBCT with your hands on the handles, your chin on the support rest and your teeth resting in the groove of the bite guide.
When you are in position, the camera will rotate around your head but it will not come into contact with you. This procedure takes about 15 minutes and is painless.
 

Preparation
You will be asked to remove any jewellery or metallic items from the neck and head area as they may interfere with the x-ray image.

Please remove:

• Metal hair clips
• Dentures
• Dental plates
• Earrings & other piercings
• Necklaces
• Hearing Aids

How does the CBCT scan help my Dentist or Physician?

• It allows him/her to:Visualise internal anatomy that cannot be diagnosed externally.
• Plan treatment and surgery.
• Prepare necessary aids.
• Assess risk.
• Analyse the orientation and position of critical structures like nerves, teeth roots, previous implants, the sinus and nose.

What are CBCT scanners used for?

• Oral surgery
• Oral Implant planning
• Orthodontic planning, implant anchorage
• Cephalometric analysis
• TMJ analysis
• Airway study (sleep apnea)
• Jaw tumour
• Impacted teeth/supernumeries
• Periodontal disease
• Endodontic anomalies

Examination
The procedure is brief (about 15 minutes), painless and simple, but it is vital that you keep completely still once the Radiographer has positioned you.
 
What happens to my x-ray films and report?
The images are interpreted by a Radiologist (a doctor who specialises in medical imaging), the report and images get sent directly to your referring doctor.