Dental CT scan cost (UK): what you’ll typically pay — and what drives the price

January 9, 2026

Dental CT scan cost (UK): what you’ll typically pay — and what drives the price

If your dentist has recommended a “dental CT scan”, they’re usually referring to a CBCT scan (cone beam CT). It’s a 3D scan that gives more detail than a standard 2D X-ray and is widely used for implant planning, difficult extractions (including wisdom teeth), root canal assessment, orthodontics, and complex jaw cases.

The big question is: how much does a dental CT scan cost in the UK?
The honest answer is: it depends on the area being scanned (how much of the jaw needs to be captured) and whether you add radiology reporting.

At 3Beam, CBCT prices start from £100, depending on the area scanned, and optional radiology reporting is £130. [1][2]

Quick answer: typical UK prices

Across the UK, published fee guides show a broad spread, but these ranges are a realistic benchmark:

  • Smaller / localised CBCT scans: often around £95–£175 [3][4]

  • Larger scans (one jaw / both jaws): commonly £140–£350+ [5][6]

  • Radiology reporting (if priced separately): often ~£95–£150 [4][5]

The important bit: you can’t compare prices properly unless you know what area is being scanned and who is writing the report.

What changes the cost of a dental CT (CBCT) scan?

1) The area being scanned (field of view)

This is the biggest driver of cost. A small scan of a single region is usually cheaper than scanning a full arch, and scanning both jaws is usually more again.

You’ll see clinics list prices like “single arch” vs “both arches”. For example, one published fee guide shows £100 for a single arch and £150 for top & bottom arches. [3]

2) Practice vs imaging centre pricing

Dental practices sometimes bundle CBCT into a wider treatment pathway — clinician time, planning, software steps, and convenience of keeping everything under one roof. That’s one reason practices can look more expensive on paper.

A very common “real world” quote patients mention is roughly:

  • ~£150 for the scan, and

  • ~£150 for a report (if offered separately)

That pattern is reflected in published UK pages (e.g., a clinic listing £95 unreported and £150 reporting; another listing a CBCT scan “from £150”). [4][8]

3) Whether you add a formal radiology report

Some referrers only need the dataset for a focused question (e.g., implant site measurements). Others prefer a formal written report to ensure the scan is assessed systematically and documented.

Published examples show how reporting is sometimes itemised separately — for instance CBCT one jaw £140 / two jaws £180 + report £95 on a London practice price list. [5]

The part most people don’t compare properly: who writes the report

When someone says “report included”, there are two very different things it could mean:

Dentist review vs radiologist report

A dentist may review the scan to answer the immediate treatment question (implants, a tricky root, an impacted tooth). A radiologist report, however, is typically more structured and more detailed, because radiologists are trained to evaluate the entire CBCT volume systematically.

Professional guidance on CBCT reporting stresses the importance of proper reporting and appropriate training, and UK radiation safety guidance also discusses reporting expectations — particularly where scans extend beyond the dento-alveolar region. [9][10]
Separately, specialist reporting services commonly state that the entire dataset should be evaluated and recorded in a written report, referencing UK legal frameworks such as IR(ME)R. [11]

UK specialist radiologists (and why it’s a higher clinical standard)

At 3Beam, reports are produced by UK-based specialist Dental & Maxillofacial Radiologists, including Dr Rebecca Davies and Dr Lee Feinberg. [1]
Both are listed as specialists in Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology on the GDC register. [12][13]

In plain English: radiologist-written reports are usually more comprehensive than a dentist’s brief interpretation, because the training, scope, and reporting method are different.

Ask whether reporting is outsourced overseas (including the US)

Some providers outsource CBCT interpretation to overseas services. That isn’t automatically “bad”, but it’s something you should know when comparing clinics.

If you’re shopping around, it’s reasonable to ask:

  • Is the report written by a specialist radiologist or reviewed by the treating dentist?

  • Is the reporter UK-based (and on a UK specialist register)?

  • Is reporting outsourced overseas?

To give context, US institutions explicitly offer CBCT case submission/interpretation services via upload portals. [14][15]

3Beam pricing (simple and transparent)

  • Dental CBCT scan prices start from £100 (depending on the area scanned) [2]

  • Optional radiology reporting: £130 [2]

This keeps it fair: if your referrer only needs the dataset, you’re not forced into extras — and if you want a structured radiologist interpretation, it’s available as a clear add-on.

What to ask before you book (this saves hassle)

  1. What area needs scanning? (localised / single arch / both arches)

  2. Do I need a written report — and who writes it? (dentist vs radiologist; UK vs overseas)

  3. How will I receive the images? (secure link / DICOM files / USB)

  4. What’s the scan for? (implants / endo / surgery / ortho — helps choose the right scan size)

  5. When do I need it? (routine vs urgent)

What 3Beam offers

Here’s what patients and referrers typically come to 3Beam for:

  • Dental CBCT scans from £100 (priced by the area scanned) [1][15]

  • Optional radiology reporting for £130 [1][15]

  • Premium Morita and Planmeca CBCT scanners for high-quality datasets [15]

  • Specialist reporting by UK-trained Dental & Maxillofacial Radiologists, including named specialists on the GDC register [9][10][11]

  • Same-day appointments (including Saturdays) and fast delivery of results (depending on the referral and the service booked) [1]

Call us – 0207 637 8227 (10am – 5pm)

If you’ve been quoted a dental CT and want a clear answer on cost, the quickest way is to tell us what area your dentist wants scanned (local region, single arch, or both arches) and whether they want a radiologist report.

Book your CBCT scan with 3Beam (86 Harley Street, London) or ask your practice to refer you — we’re happy to advise on the right scan size and whether reporting is appropriate for your case. [1][18]

FAQs

Is “dental CT” the same as CBCT?
Usually, yes — in dentistry, “dental CT” commonly refers to CBCT.

Can I have a CBCT without a report?
Often yes. Some referrers only need the dataset. If you’re unsure, ask your dentist what they require — and consider whether a radiologist report is appropriate for broader assessment and documentation. [4]

Why do prices vary so much?
Because scan size varies (small local region vs full arch vs both jaws) and clinics bundle services differently (planning time, review, reporting, software workflows). [3][5][6]

References:

[1] 3Beam – Radiology Reports 3Beam
[2] 3Beam – The Importance of Structured Dental CBCT Radiology Reports 3Beam
[3] Woodside Dental Practice – Fee Guide woodsidedental.co.uk
[4] Newcastle Advanced Dentistry – CBCT NAD
[5] 76 Harley Street – Price List 76 Harley Street
[6] Pall Mall Dental – Dental Fees Pall Mall Dental
[7] WhatClinic – York Road Dental Practice (CT per arch/section example range) WhatClinic
[8] Harley Street Implant Centre – Dental Implant Cost in London (CBCT from £150) Harley Street Dental Implant Centre
[9] Patel & Harvey – Guidelines for reporting on CBCT scans (PDF) British Endodontic Society
[10] UK Government – Guidance on the Safe Use of Dental Cone Beam CT (HPA-CRCE-010) (PDF) GOV.UK
[11] JM Radiology – Order A Report JM Radiology
[12] GDC Register – Dr Rebecca Jane Davies OLR
[13] GDC Register – Dr Lee William Feinberg OLR
[14] UCLA Dentistry – Teleradiology Referrals UCLA School of Dentistry
[15] University of Michigan – CBCT Imaging Service UMich Dentistry