Dental Encyclopedia · Diagnostics
CBCT (3D CT)
Cone Beam CT
CBCT (cone beam CT) is a dental three-dimensional tomography device that allows the teeth, jawbone, nerve canal and maxillary sinus to be examined in three dimensions. It is known to be used for detailed diagnosis in implant treatment, wisdom teeth and root canal treatment.
In plain terms
Put simply, it is a device that takes a “3D image” of the inside of the mouth. Whereas an ordinary X-ray is flat, CBCT shows the position of bone and nerves in three dimensions, allowing more precise diagnosis.
CBCT shows the height and thickness of the jawbone and the position of the nerve canal and the maxillary sinus in three dimensions, and is used in planning the position, angle and depth of implant placement. It is also used for assessing the distance between a wisdom tooth and the nerve canal, and for checking lesions.
It provides more three-dimensional information than ordinary panoramic or periapical imaging, but it is not necessary for every treatment; it is taken selectively according to the purpose of the diagnosis and the need. Taking it only when it is genuinely necessary is recommended, in consideration of radiation exposure.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
- Q. Is CBCT always taken for implant treatment?
- For implants, accurately grasping the height and thickness of the jawbone and the position of the nerve canal and the maxillary sinus is important for safety, so three-dimensional CBCT diagnosis is known to be used in many cases. However, whether it is taken is decided according to the purpose of the diagnosis and the need, and it is taken only when it is genuinely necessary, in consideration of radiation exposure.
This entry is for general information. Diagnosis and treatment depend on individual conditions.