In short: A CBCT — cone beam computed tomography, called DVT in Germany — produces a three-dimensional image of the jaw. It shows bone height, bone width, the course of nerve canals and the position of the sinus, none of which can be judged on a flat X-ray. That is the basis for safe implant planning and for assessing displaced wisdom teeth. It is taken only for a specific question, never routinely.
A classic X-ray is a projection: it presses a three-dimensional jaw onto a flat surface. For decay and bone levels that is enough. For the question of how much bone is really present in depth at a particular spot, it is not.
What a CBCT makes visible
- Bone height and bone width at the exact site where an implant is to sit — width is not visible at all on a flat image
- Course of the lower jaw nerve, whose distance from the planned implant position determines the safety of the procedure
- Position and condition of the sinus in the upper jaw, decisive for whether a sinus lift will be needed
- Position of displaced wisdom teeth and their relationship to neighbouring roots and nerve canals
- Inflammation at root tips and additional root canals that stay hidden on a flat image
- Cysts and bone changes in their actual extent
How the scan works
You stand or sit, your head is stabilised, and the device rotates once around your head. The scan itself takes a few seconds. It is not a narrow tube, nothing goes in your mouth, and there is no startling noise. If you have concerns from experience with a hospital CT: that is a different device with a different method and a considerably lower dose.
On radiation dose
A CBCT has a higher dose than a single dental X-ray and a markedly lower one than a medical CT of the same region. The governing principle in radiation protection is justifying indication: an image is taken only when the expected information changes the treatment. For implant planning in the molar region that is regularly the case — the nerve canal is at stake. For a routine check-up it is not, and then we do not take one.
The field is also limited to the area needed rather than capturing the whole jaw. Smaller volume means lower dose.
What comes of it
The real benefit shows in the next step: from the CBCT data and a digital impression, the implant position is planned on screen before anything happens in your mouth. From that a surgical guide can be produced that steers the planned position during the procedure. So a scan becomes not just diagnosis but precision in surgery — and usually a smaller, shorter procedure.
You receive your images digitally on request, including for a second opinion. That is your right, and we treat it as a matter of course.
Frequently asked questions
Is a CBCT needed for every implant?
Not always. In simple front-tooth situations with good bone volume a two-dimensional image can be sufficient. In the molar region, with limited bone and with bone grafting, three-dimensional imaging is standard.
Does German insurance pay for a CBCT?
For patients with statutory insurance, usually not — it is mostly invoiced privately and set out in the cost plan. Some private supplementary policies reimburse it.
How often can a CBCT be taken?
There is no fixed upper limit, but the principle of justification applies: every image needs a specific question that influences treatment. Existing images are used first.
Can I take the scan with me?
Yes. You receive your image data digitally, for instance for a second opinion or for a colleague continuing your treatment.
This article provides general information and does not replace a dental examination. Medically reviewed by Dr. F. J. Rodríguez Ruíz, MSc., dentist at A+ Dental, Düsseldorf-Oberkassel.