Finding the right tests…
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Emergency services available 24 x 7
Finding the right tests…
CBCT
CBCT IMPLANT PLANNING scans the site where a dental implant is being considered, measuring the height, width, and density of the bone that will hold it. A flat 2D X-ray can show that bone is present, but it cannot measure it accurately in three directions or show how close the site sits to structures like the nerve canal in the lower jaw or the sinus floor in the upper jaw. This scan gives your dentist or oral surgeon the measurements needed to choose an implant of the right size and position it safely. It is one of the most established, everyday uses of CBCT in dentistry, typically ordered for the implant site rather than the whole mouth.
The scan covers the planned implant site and the bone around it, measuring available bone height and width and giving a read on bone density. It also shows the site's distance from nearby structures such as the nerve canal or sinus floor, information a flat 2D X-ray cannot reliably provide for implant sizing and placement.
Placing a dental implant means anchoring it into bone that has to be tall enough, wide enough, and dense enough to hold it securely. A flat X-ray can suggest bone is there, but it compresses a three-dimensional site into one image, so exact measurements are hard to trust.
CBCT IMPLANT PLANNING images the site in three dimensions, giving your dentist or surgeon real height and width measurements rather than an estimate. It also grades bone density, which affects how an implant is expected to integrate, and shows the site's position relative to structures that need to be avoided, such as the nerve canal running through the lower jaw or the sinus floor above the upper back teeth.
- Helps choose an implant of the right length and width for the available bone - Flags whether a bone graft might be needed before or during implant placement - Shows the safe distance from the nerve canal or sinus, reducing the chance of an unexpected finding during surgery
This is typically a site-specific scan rather than a full-mouth one, since the question being answered is about one location. Ask your dentist or surgeon what the scan showed about your specific implant site before the procedure date is set.
A flat X-ray compresses a three-dimensional site into one image, so it can't give reliable measurements of bone height, width, or its distance from structures like the nerve canal. CBCT provides those measurements directly.
It's typically centred on the specific site where the implant is planned, rather than the entire mouth. Your dentist may choose a wider scan if more than one site needs evaluating.
It gives your dentist or surgeon the bone measurements needed to judge whether there's enough bone for an implant on its own, or whether a graft should be considered first.
It shows the nerve canal's path through the jaw bone well enough for your dentist or surgeon to plan around it, which helps avoid it during implant placement.
This page is general information about the test, not medical advice. Your own report's reference ranges apply — please discuss your results with your doctor.
That depends on what the scan shows and your treatment plan. Ask your dentist or surgeon about timing once they've reviewed your results.
You may be asked to remove jewellery, glasses, or a removable dental appliance near the area being imaged. Check with your dentist or the centre for anything specific to your visit.
That depends on how many sites are involved and how far apart they are. Ask your dentist whether one scan can cover every planned site.