What to Expect from a CBCT Scan: A Patient’s Guide to Cone Beam CT at 3Beam

If your dentist, surgeon, or specialist has referred you for a cone beam CT, you are probably wondering what to expect from a CBCT scan. The good news is that the process is quick, painless, and straightforward. In fact, most scans take less than 30 seconds of actual imaging time.

A CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scan creates detailed 3D images of your teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures. It gives your clinician far more information than a standard dental X-ray. This guide walks you through every stage — from preparation to results — so you arrive at your appointment feeling confident and informed.

Quick Answer: What to Expect from a CBCT Scan

A CBCT scan is a standing or seated X-ray that captures a full 3D image of your jaws in under 30 seconds. You do not need injections, sedation, or any special preparation. Simply remove metal jewellery and accessories before the scan. A consultant radiologist then reviews your images and sends a detailed report to your referring clinician, typically within 24 hours.

Why Your Dentist Has Referred You for a CBCT Scan

Your clinician has requested a CBCT scan because they need more detail than a standard 2D X-ray can provide. There are several common reasons for referral.

Dental implant planning. A CBCT scan measures your available bone volume and maps the position of nerves and blood vessels. This helps your implantologist plan safe, accurate implant placement. For more detail, see our guide to CBCT for pre-implant planning.

Impacted or difficult wisdom teeth. The scan shows the exact position of an impacted wisdom tooth relative to the inferior alveolar nerve. Your surgeon uses this information to plan a safer extraction.

Root canal complications. CBCT reveals hidden canals, fractures, and infections that a standard X-ray can miss. As a result, your endodontist may request a scan before retreatment or microsurgery.

Orthodontic assessment. Similarly, 3D imaging helps orthodontists evaluate bone levels, airway dimensions, and the position of impacted teeth before starting treatment.

Sinus and ENT investigations. CBCT also provides high-resolution images of the sinuses, temporal bones, and upper airway. ENT surgeons often request scans to plan sinus or middle ear procedures.

Under IR(ME)R 2017 regulations, every CBCT scan must be clinically justified before it takes place. Your referring clinician has determined that the diagnostic benefit outweighs the very low radiation risk involved.

How to Prepare for Your CBCT Scan Appointment

Preparing for a CBCT scan requires very little effort. There is no fasting, no blood tests, and no special medication. However, a few simple steps help your appointment run smoothly.

Remove metal accessories. Take off earrings, necklaces, tongue piercings, hair clips, and glasses before the scan. Metal objects create artefacts on the image and reduce diagnostic quality.

Leave removable dentures at home if possible. Removable dentures and retainers can also interfere with image clarity. If you wear a fixed brace, that is fine — it does not affect the scan.

Bring your referral information. Your referring clinician will have sent details to 3Beam already. However, bringing a copy of your referral letter or knowing your clinician’s name helps us match your records quickly.

Arrive on time. The entire visit typically takes 15 to 20 minutes, including check-in and positioning. The actual scan exposure lasts less than 30 seconds.

What to Expect During Your CBCT Scan: Step by Step

Knowing what to expect from a CBCT scan on the day itself can ease any anxiety. Here is the step-by-step process at 3Beam Imaging Centre on Harley Street.

Step 1 — Check-in. You arrive at 86 Harley Street, London W1G 7HP. Our reception team checks your details and confirms the scan area requested by your clinician.

Step 2 — Preparation. A radiographer asks you to remove any metal accessories. They then explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have.

Step 3 — Positioning. You stand or sit at the CBCT scanner. The radiographer positions your head carefully using alignment guides and a chin rest. Precise positioning ensures the scan captures exactly the area your clinician needs.

Step 4 — The scan. The scanner arm rotates around your head in a single smooth arc. You need to stay completely still during this time. The exposure takes between 10 and 30 seconds depending on the scan area. You will not feel anything — there is no pain, no noise, and no enclosed space. Importantly, a CBCT scanner is fully open, so it is suitable even if you experience claustrophobia.

Step 5 — You are done. After the scan, you can leave immediately. There are no side effects, no recovery time, and no restrictions on eating, drinking, or driving afterwards.

Is a CBCT Scan Safe? Radiation Dose Explained

Safety is a common concern for patients who want to know what to expect from a CBCT scan, and it is a fair question. A CBCT scan does use ionising radiation, but the dose is very low compared to a medical CT scan.

A typical dental CBCT scan delivers between 20 and 200 microsieverts (µSv) depending on the field of view and equipment used. For comparison, the average person in the UK receives approximately 2,230 µSv per year from natural background radiation — that is roughly 6 µSv every single day from natural sources alone.

In practical terms, a small-volume dental CBCT scan exposes you to a dose similar to a few days of natural background radiation. A standard medical CT of the head delivers around 2,000 µSv — roughly ten times more than a large-field CBCT scan.

3Beam uses a Morita 3D Accuitomo, which is specifically designed to minimise dose while maximising image quality. Furthermore, our radiographers follow the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable). They select the smallest scan volume and lowest dose settings appropriate for your clinical question. For more technical detail, read our article on radiation dose in modern CBCT machines.

What Happens After Your CBCT Scan

Now you know what to expect from a CBCT scan itself — but what happens next? Once your scan is complete, a consultant radiologist reviews your 3D images in detail. At 3Beam, our reporting radiologist Dr Mandy Williams provides a structured written report covering all relevant findings.

The report reaches your referring clinician within 24 hours in most cases. For urgent cases, we offer same-day reporting. Your clinician then discusses the findings with you at your next appointment and explains how they affect your treatment plan.

If the scan reveals incidental findings — unexpected abnormalities unrelated to the original reason for the scan — the report notes these and recommends appropriate follow-up. For more on this topic, see our guide to CBCT incidental findings.

You can also request a copy of your scan images. 3Beam provides images in DICOM format, which your clinician can load into their own treatment planning software.

Frequently Asked Questions About CBCT Scans

Q: How long does a CBCT scan take?
A: The entire appointment takes around 15 to 20 minutes. However, the actual scan exposure lasts only 10 to 30 seconds.

Q: Does a CBCT scan hurt?
A: Not at all. The scan is completely painless. You simply stand still while the scanner arm moves around your head.

Q: Can I have a CBCT scan if I am pregnant?
A: CBCT scans are generally avoided during pregnancy unless they are clinically essential. If you are pregnant or think you might be, please inform our team before the scan. Your clinician and our radiologist will then assess whether the scan is justified.

Q: How much does a CBCT scan cost?
A: Prices at 3Beam start from £195 and vary depending on the scan volume and clinical indication. Every scan includes consultant radiologist reporting. For a full breakdown, visit our dental CT scan cost guide.

Q: Do I need a referral for a CBCT scan?
A: Yes. Under IR(ME)R 2017 regulations, every CBCT scan requires a clinical referral from a registered healthcare professional. Your dentist, surgeon, or specialist provides this referral, so you cannot self-refer for a CBCT scan.

Q: Will I be enclosed in a tunnel like an MRI?
A: No. A CBCT scanner is fully open. There is no tunnel or enclosed space. Instead, the scanner arm simply rotates around your head while you stand or sit comfortably.

The Bottom Line on What to Expect from a CBCT Scan

A CBCT scan is one of the simplest and most informative diagnostic procedures in modern dentistry and maxillofacial care. The scan is fast, painless, and uses a fraction of the radiation dose of a medical CT. You spend less than 20 minutes at the clinic, and your results reach your clinician within 24 hours.

If your dentist or specialist has recommended a CBCT scan, there is no reason to feel anxious. Now that you know what to expect from a CBCT scan, you can attend your appointment with complete confidence. The scan gives your clinical team the detailed 3D information they need to plan your treatment safely and accurately.