At the office of Lorber Dental NY, PLLC, we prioritize diagnostic clarity and thoughtful planning. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is one of the technologies that helps our clinicians see more: three-dimensional images reveal anatomical details that conventional two-dimensional x-rays cannot. When used appropriately, CBCT improves diagnostic confidence and supports more predictable clinical results across many areas of dentistry.
CBCT is not a single-purpose camera — it’s a focused imaging tool that captures volumetric data of the teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures. The result is a high-resolution 3D dataset that clinicians can manipulate, measure, and review from multiple angles. This deeper view informs treatment decisions while helping clinicians avoid surprises during complex procedures.
Traditional bitewing and periapical films provide excellent detail for many everyday dental issues, but they collapse three-dimensional anatomy into a flat image. CBCT preserves depth, allowing providers to evaluate bone height, cortical thickness, and the spatial relationship of roots, nerves, and sinuses. That extra dimension can be crucial when planning surgeries or evaluating complicated anatomy.
Another distinction is the way images are acquired and reconstructed. CBCT rotates around the patient to gather a cone-shaped volume of x-rays, which software then reconstructs into a 3D model. This process yields cross-sectional slices and volumetric renderings that clinicians can adjust for contrast and orientation, giving a more complete and accurate picture than planar films alone.
It’s important to recognize that CBCT complements — rather than replaces — conventional imaging. For many routine assessments, standard x-rays remain appropriate. CBCT is most helpful when clinicians need a precise three-dimensional view to inform diagnosis, treatment planning, or to evaluate anatomic complexities that could affect outcomes.
Implant dentistry is one of the most common indications for CBCT. Three-dimensional imaging lets clinicians assess bone volume, density, and the location of critical structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve and maxillary sinuses. This information supports accurate implant selection, angulation, and the creation of surgical guides when needed, minimizing intraoperative surprises.
Endodontics also benefits from CBCT’s high-resolution slices. When conventional films leave questions about root canal anatomy, extra canals, or periapical pathology, CBCT can show the presence and extent of lesions, root fractures, or complex canal morphologies. This leads to more targeted treatment decisions and can reduce the need for exploratory procedures.
Beyond implants and root canals, CBCT supports orthodontic assessment, airway analysis for sleep-related breathing evaluations, TMJ evaluation, and the identification of cysts or other maxillofacial pathology. Its versatility makes it a valuable diagnostic adjunct across specialties, enabling clinicians to tailor care to the specific anatomic realities of each patient.
A typical CBCT scan is quick and straightforward. Patients remain seated or standing while the machine rotates around the head to capture the volume. Scan times are usually brief, often under a minute, which minimizes motion artifacts and enhances image quality. The process is noninvasive and similar in convenience to other in-office imaging procedures.
Positioning and patient instruction are key to a successful scan. Technicians take care to center the area of interest and may provide simple supports or bite blocks to stabilize the head. Because the field of view can be tailored to specific regions — for example, a dental arch versus a full craniofacial volume — exposure is focused on what the clinician needs to evaluate.
Safety and patient comfort are front of mind throughout the encounter. Modern CBCT units are engineered to use lower radiation doses than earlier-generation CT systems while delivering diagnostic-quality images. Staff follow recommended protocols for exposure optimization and limit scans to situations where the additional 3D information will materially affect diagnosis or treatment planning.
Radiation stewardship means balancing diagnostic benefit against exposure. Dental professionals adhere to the ALARA principle — as low as reasonably achievable — when deciding whether to order a CBCT scan. Decisions are case-specific and consider the clinical question, alternative imaging options, and how the scan results will change patient care.
Manufacturers and professional organizations have published guidelines that help clinicians choose appropriate fields of view, resolution settings, and exposure parameters. By tailoring acquisition settings to the clinical need, practitioners can obtain the necessary diagnostic information while minimizing dose. Patients with concerns about exposure should feel comfortable discussing risks and benefits with their care team.
In pediatric cases or when repeat imaging is anticipated, clinicians exercise additional caution and often consider alternative imaging modalities or smaller fields of view. Clear communication about why a scan is recommended and how it will improve care helps patients make informed decisions.
CBCT data integrates seamlessly with many modern dental workflows. Volumetric datasets can be combined with intraoral scans, digital impressions, and CAD/CAM systems to create comprehensive treatment plans. For implant therapy, this allows for virtual placement, fabrication of surgical guides, and a predictable restorative outcome that aligns with prosthetic goals.
Guided surgery is one practical example of this integration. When a CBCT scan is merged with a prosthetic plan, clinicians can position implants in a way that respects both anatomical constraints and final tooth positioning. The result is increased precision, shorter operative time, and a clearer pathway from planning to restoration.
Beyond implants, treatment planning for complex extractions, orthognathic considerations, or multidisciplinary cases benefits from the ability to measure and visualize anatomy in three dimensions. CBCT fosters clearer interdisciplinary communication and helps clinicians coordinate care across specialties with a shared set of objective imaging data.
CBCT produces a wealth of information, and meaningful interpretation requires appropriate training and experience. Clinicians use software tools to review axial, coronal, and sagittal slices, generate reformats, and perform linear or volumetric measurements. Thorough review helps identify pathologies, anatomic variations, or conditions that might affect treatment choices.
When findings fall outside the expected scope of dental practice — for example, incidental sinus disease or other medical concerns — clinicians may collaborate with or refer to medical specialists for further evaluation. Clear documentation and communication about significant findings ensure patients receive appropriate follow-up when needed.
Quality control is another important consideration. Properly calibrated equipment, staff training, and routine maintenance help ensure consistent image quality. When scans are obtained with diagnostic intent, clinicians apply standardized reporting practices to record observations, measurements, and the implications for planned care.
CBCT is a powerful diagnostic tool when applied thoughtfully. If you have questions about how three-dimensional imaging might fit into your care plan, or whether a CBCT scan is recommended for a specific concern, please contact our team for more information.
At Lorber Dental NY, PLLC we use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to capture volumetric images of the teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures in three dimensions. Unlike traditional bitewing or periapical x-rays that collapse anatomy into a flat image, CBCT preserves depth and spatial relationships so clinicians can evaluate bone height, cortical thickness, and the proximity of roots to nerves or sinuses. This enhanced visualization improves diagnostic confidence when anatomy is complex or when planning procedures that depend on precise measurements.
The acquisition process involves a rotating detector that collects a cone-shaped volume of x-rays and software that reconstructs cross-sectional slices and 3D renderings. Clinicians can manipulate these datasets to view anatomy from multiple angles, perform linear and volumetric measurements, and generate images tailored to the clinical question. CBCT is therefore a complementary tool used when three-dimensional detail will directly influence diagnosis or treatment planning.
CBCT is recommended when two-dimensional imaging does not sufficiently answer the clinical question or when three-dimensional detail materially affects treatment decisions. Common indications include implant planning, evaluation of impacted or ectopic teeth, assessment of complex root canal anatomy, TMJ analysis, airway assessment for sleep-related breathing concerns, and investigation of suspected cysts or tumors. It is also valuable after trauma to assess fractures or displacements that might be occult on planar films.
Routine examinations, such as standard preventive visits, typically do not require CBCT; clinicians reserve volumetric imaging for cases where the additional information will change diagnosis or management. The decision to order a scan is case-specific and guided by professional recommendations and the anticipated benefit to the patient’s care. If you are uncertain why a scan has been suggested, your provider can explain the specific clinical question the CBCT is intended to address.
For implant dentistry, CBCT provides precise information about bone volume, bone density patterns, and the location of critical anatomic structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve and maxillary sinuses. This enables clinicians to select appropriate implant size, angulation, and position while avoiding vital structures, which reduces intraoperative surprises and enhances safety. The dataset can also be used to evaluate the need for bone grafting or sinus augmentation before proceeding with implant placement.
When merged with digital impressions and prosthetic planning, CBCT supports guided surgery workflows that translate the virtual plan into accurate clinical placement using surgical guides. This integration shortens operative time, improves predictability, and helps align the implant position with the final restorative goals. The overall effect is a more coordinated treatment sequence and a clearer pathway from diagnosis to restoration.
A typical CBCT scan is quick and noninvasive; patients remain seated or standing while the scanner rotates around the head to capture the selected field of view. Scan times are brief—often under a minute for focused volumes—which minimizes motion artifacts and helps produce clear images. Technicians will position you carefully, ask you to remain still, and may provide chin or forehead rests or a simple bite block to stabilize the head.
The apparatus and workflow are similar in convenience to other in-office imaging procedures, and staff will review the reason for the scan and tailor the field of view to the area of interest. Because acquisition parameters can be adjusted, clinicians aim to capture only the necessary anatomy at the appropriate resolution. If you have concerns about comfort or positioning, the team will address them before scanning.
Radiation stewardship guides the use of CBCT; dental professionals follow the ALARA principle—keeping exposures as low as reasonably achievable—when deciding whether a scan is necessary. Modern dental CBCT units are designed to deliver lower doses than earlier medical CT systems, and clinicians reduce exposure by selecting smaller fields of view and the lowest acceptable resolution that answers the clinical question. Staff also follow established protocols and manufacturer guidance to optimize acquisition settings for each case.
Special caution is exercised for pediatric patients and for circumstances that may require repeat imaging, with consideration given to alternative modalities or reduced scanning volumes when feasible. Patients with specific concerns about radiation are encouraged to discuss risks and benefits with their clinician so they can make an informed decision. Clear documentation of the rationale for imaging helps ensure that scans are justified and clinically meaningful.
CBCT can reveal anatomical details that are difficult or impossible to see on standard radiographs, such as additional canals, complex canal morphology, root fractures, and the true extent of periapical pathology. These insights allow endodontists and dentists to make more targeted treatment decisions, for example by identifying canals that require treatment or by clarifying whether retreatment or surgical intervention is indicated. The ability to view high-resolution slices in multiple planes is especially helpful when conventional films are inconclusive.
That said, CBCT is not required for every root canal case; it is most valuable when persistent symptoms, atypical anatomy, or unresolved pathology remain after conventional assessment. Clinicians weigh the added diagnostic benefit against radiation exposure and will recommend CBCT selectively when it will materially change the planned approach. When used appropriately, volumetric imaging reduces exploratory procedures and supports more precise treatment.
CBCT datasets integrate readily with intraoral scans, digital impressions, and CAD/CAM systems to create a comprehensive virtual treatment plan. For implant therapy, a CBCT scan can be fused with a prosthetic plan to determine ideal implant position relative to the final restoration, and that plan can be used to fabricate a surgical guide. This digital coordination helps ensure that implants are placed to support the intended prosthesis while respecting anatomic constraints.
Beyond implants, combining CBCT with digital models benefits complex restorative cases, interdisciplinary planning, and orthognathic considerations by providing objective, measurable anatomy for all team members. The shared digital dataset improves communication among specialists and reduces uncertainty when multiple clinicians are involved in a patient’s care. Overall, integration of volumetric imaging with digital tools enhances precision and predictability.
Because CBCT images capture surrounding anatomy, clinicians sometimes identify findings that fall outside routine dental practice, such as sinus changes, airway anomalies, or unexpected osseous lesions. When such incidental findings are detected, the dental team documents the observation, discusses the implication with the patient, and, when appropriate, refers the patient to a medical specialist or an oral and maxillofacial radiologist for further evaluation. Prompt communication ensures that significant non-dental conditions are not overlooked.
Clinicians strive to provide clear follow-up recommendations and to coordinate any necessary referrals or additional imaging. Documentation of the finding and the recommended next steps becomes part of the patient record so other providers involved in the patient’s care have the necessary information. Patients are encouraged to ask questions if they want clarification about any incidental result.
CBCT interpretation is performed by trained dental clinicians who use specialized software to review axial, coronal, and sagittal slices, generate reformats, and take measurements. For complex cases or when unusual pathologies are suspected, clinicians may request a consultation or formal report from an oral and maxillofacial radiologist to ensure comprehensive review. Clear, standardized reporting practices help record observations, measurements, and implications for planned care.
After interpretation, the ordering clinician discusses the findings with the patient, explains how the results affect treatment options, and outlines any recommended next steps. When follow-up or referral is necessary, the dental team coordinates care and documents the plan so the patient and any receiving providers have a clear pathway forward. Patients should expect a conversation about both the imaging results and the clinical recommendations that follow.
Pediatric patients require additional consideration because of greater radiosensitivity and a longer lifetime over which potential effects could manifest. Clinicians favor the smallest practical field of view, the lowest acceptable resolution, and alternative imaging methods when they can answer the clinical question adequately. Repeat imaging is avoided unless changes in clinical status or new information justify another scan.
When repeat or pediatric imaging is necessary, staff take extra precautions to optimize exposure parameters and ensure proper justification and documentation. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to discuss risks, benefits, and alternatives with the care team so they can make an informed decision. Thoughtful planning and adherence to established guidelines help maintain safety while obtaining the diagnostic information needed for quality care.
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