Cone beam scanners not only take images of the mouth but also the entire head. The positioning of your teeth affects the entire head, allowing dentists to see the underlying bone structure and jawline and creating more accurate treatments. They are especially useful for procedures around delicate areas and for planning correctional procedures.

Cone beam scanners are fairly new and not all dental clinics use them. Although they were invented in 1967, they were first introduced in the European market in 1996 and in the U.S. market in 2001. Today, about 72% of dentists use CBCT scanners.

CBCT scans emit 200-300 times less or 1/10 the amount of radiation as traditional imaging systems and X-rays. Cone beam CT scanners also allow dentists to emit a certain dosage, making them safer and much more flexible. However, they still emit a certain amount of radiation and can be considered not safe, especially for children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Regardless, all X-ray scans in dentistry require some amount of radiation, and CBCT scans emit the lowest.

There is no preparation required before a CBCT scan. It is important to remove all loose or metallic objects before the exam, as with any other X-ray exam. Patients with metal implants can get a CBCT scan. The dentist will ask you to stay still and do not swallow or talk during the exam.