Preparing for Your First CBCT Scan: A Step-by-Step Patient Guide
“You have been asked to get a CBCT scan — and if you have never heard of it before, it is completely natural to feel a little uncertain. What does the machine look like? Will it hurt? How long will you be there? Will I have to go inside the machine? Do you need to do anything special before you arrive?
The good news is that a CBCT scan is one of the most straightforward imaging procedures in dentistry. This guide will walk you through exactly what to expect, from the moment you arrive at the imaging centre to the day you receive your report — so you can walk in feeling calm and prepared.”
What Is a CBCT Scan, and Why Has Your Dentist Asked for One?
CBCT stands for Cone Beam Computed Tomography. Unlike a regular dental X-ray, which gives a flat, two-dimensional image, a CBCT scan captures a three-dimensional view of your teeth, jawbone, nerves, and surrounding structures — all in a single, quick rotation of the machine around your head.
Your dentist may have recommended a CBCT scan for several reasons:
Planning for a dental implant, where precise bone depth and width measurements are needed
Evaluating nerve proximity of an impacted wisdom tooth before extraction
Diagnosing the source of unexplained tooth or jaw pain
Assessing bone loss caused by gum disease
Pre-surgical planning for orthodontic treatment or jaw correction
Checking the anatomy of root canals before treatment
The scan gives your dental specialist a level of detail that simply is not possible with conventional X-rays. It is a diagnostic tool — not a treatment — and it carries no pain whatsoever.
How to Prepare for Your CBCT Scan
Preparation is minimal but knowing what to do in advance will make the experience smoother for you.
1. Wear the Right Clothing
Choose a comfortable top without a high collar, turtleneck, or lots of metal embellishments. While most modern CBCT machines focus on the head and jaw region and are not affected by clothing below the neck, wearing something simple just makes everything easier. Avoid heavy jewellery around your neck and ears.
2. Remove Metal Objects Before You Arrive — or Be Ready to Remove Them
You will be asked to remove the following before the scan:
Earrings, necklaces, and any facial jewellery
Hair clips, pins, or metallic hair accessories
Glasses and, if possible, hearing aids
Removable dental appliances such as dentures, retainers, or partial plates
Metal objects in and around the head region can create artefacts — distortions in the final 3D image — that reduce the diagnostic quality of your scan. The radiologist or technician at the centre will guide you on this, but it saves time if you arrive prepared.
3. No Special Fasting Is Required
Unlike some other medical scans, you do not need to fast before a CBCT scan. Eat and drink normally. If you take daily medications, continue as usual unless your own physician has specifically told you otherwise.
4. Inform the Centre If You Are Pregnant
If there is any possibility that you are pregnant, inform the imaging centre before your appointment. CBCT scans use a low dose of radiation. While the dose is significantly lower than a medical CT scan, it is standard practice to avoid any X-ray-based imaging during pregnancy unless it is clinically urgent and approved by your treating doctor.
5. Carry Your Referral and Any Previous Scans or X-rays
Bring the referral slip or prescription from your dentist. If you have had any previous dental X-rays, OPGs, or other scans done elsewhere, carry those along as well. The radiologist reviewing your CBCT report will often find it useful to compare with earlier imaging.
What to Expect When You Arrive
Here is a realistic picture of what your visit will look like, step by step.
You will be welcomed at the reception desk and asked to fill a brief registration form. This usually takes five to ten minutes.
A trained staff member will escort you to the scanning area and ask you to remove any metal items and your dental appliances. You will be given a lead apron or thyroid collar as a precaution in some cases.
You will be positioned standing however, provision for seated positioning will be available if you are unable to stand for the scan duration. Your head will be gently positioned using adjustable guides so that it is perfectly still.
You will be asked to bite gently on a small plastic bite block or rest your chin on a support. This helps keep your jaw in the correct position during the scan.
The machine arm will rotate 360 degrees around your head. During this rotation, you simply need to stay still, breathe normally, and avoid swallowing if you can.
The actual scan takes between 10 to 40 seconds, depending on the field of view, i.e., the amount of area being captured. The entire appointment, including preparation and positioning, typically takes 20 to 30 minutes.
“The machine does not touch you. It rotates around your head at a small distance. There is no enclosed tube, no noise louder than a gentle hum, and no injection or contrast dye involved. If you are claustrophobic, this scan is considerably easier to manage than an MRI.”
What Does the CBCT Machine Actually Look Like?
Many patients picture a large, intimidating scanner when they hear the word 'scan.' A CBCT machine looks quite different from a hospital CT scanner. It is a compact, upright machine — similar in size to a large dental X-ray unit — with a rotating arm that moves around your head.
There is no tunnel or enclosed space. You stand or sit in front of the machine, your head is gently positioned, and the arm simply rotates around you. The entire footprint of the machine is about the size of a small room corner.
How Long Before You Get Your Results?
This depends on the imaging centre you visit. At DMD Imaging, our CBCT reports are prepared by MDS-qualified dental radiologists — specialists who have completed postgraduate training specifically in oral and maxillofacial radiology. This is different from a radiographer (the technician who operates the machine) or a general radiologist.
Because the report involves a detailed 3D analysis of your anatomy — including bone density, root morphology, nerve canal position, and any pathology present — it takes time to do it correctly. Typical turnaround at our centre is within 24 to 48 hours.
You will receive a written report along with the 3D image data, usually shared digitally. Your referring dentist will then use this information to plan your treatment.
Why It Matters Who Reads Your Scan
A CBCT scan produces hundreds of cross-sectional image slices. Interpreting these accurately requires someone trained specifically in dental and maxillofacial imaging. An MDS-qualified dental radiologist has undergone years of specialised training focused on exactly this — not just operating equipment but diagnosing conditions from complex 3D data.
Is a CBCT Scan Safe?
Yes. CBCT scans use a focused cone-shaped X-ray beam and are designed to capture only the region being examined — typically the jaw, teeth, and surrounding structures. The radiation dose is substantially lower than a full-body medical CT scan.
For most patients, the diagnostic benefit of getting an accurate, detailed image for treatment planning far outweighs the small amount of radiation involved. Your dentist would not have requested the scan without a clinical reason to do so.
Modern CBCT machines are also equipped with dose-reduction technologies that have improved significantly over the past decade.
A CBCT scan is not something to be anxious about. It is a quick, painless, and highly informative imaging procedure that gives your dentist the detailed picture they need to treat you accurately and safely. The more prepared you are, the smoother the experience will be.
If you have any questions before your appointment — about what to bring, what to expect, or anything related to the scan itself — do not hesitate to reach out to us at DMD Imaging. We are here to make the process as clear and comfortable as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. You do not need to fast. Eat and drink as you normally would before your appointment.
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The scan itself takes between 10 and 40 seconds. Including check-in, preparation, and positioning, plan for about 20 to 30 minutes at the imaging centre.
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No. A CBCT scan is completely painless. The machine does not touch you. You may find the bite block or chin rest mildly uncomfortable if you need to hold the position for a while, but there is no pain involved.
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Yes. Removable dental appliances should be taken out before the scan. Metal and dense acrylic can cause artefacts in the image that affect diagnostic quality. The staff at the centre will remind you.
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In most cases, yes. The CBCT machine is open — there is no tunnel or enclosed space. You stand or sit with your head gently positioned, and the arm rotates around you in the open room. Most patients who struggle with MRI or enclosed medical scans find CBCT quite manageable.
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At DMD Imaging, all reports are prepared by dental radiologists who hold an MDS degree in Oral Medicine and Radiology. This means your scan is being interpreted by a specialist who has been trained specifically in dental and maxillofacial imaging — not just in operating the equipment, but in diagnosing what the images show.
