Many patients considering dental implants in Fremont hear about the need for a "CBCT scan" before surgery. But why is this advanced imaging so important?
The answer is simple: a CBCT scan provides the detailed 3D information your dentist or oral surgeon needs to plan implants safely and accurately.
What Is a CBCT Scan?
A Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scan is a specialized 3D dental imaging technology. Unlike traditional 2D X-rays, CBCT shows teeth, bone, nerves, and sinuses in three dimensions. This allows your dentist to evaluate your mouth from every angle before placing an implant. Your implant dentist or oral surgeon will provide a referral for the CBCT scan to ensure the correct prescription and imaging protocol.
Why Implants Require 3D Imaging
Dental implants aren't just placed "where the tooth was." Successful placement depends on:
- Bone quality and volume — is there enough bone to support the implant?
- Proximity to nerves — CBCT maps nerve canals to avoid injury.
- Sinus anatomy — important for upper jaw implants near the sinus floor.
- Exact angulation and depth — 3D scans help avoid complications and improve long-term success.
Without CBCT, these details may be missed, increasing risks during surgery.
How CBCT Improves Safety and Outcomes
- Precision planning → safer surgeries, fewer surprises.
- Custom surgical guides → 3D scans can be used to design digital guides for implant placement.
- Reduced complications → protecting nerves, sinuses, and other vital structures.
- Better long-term stability → implants placed with CBCT planning are less likely to fail.
What to Expect During a CBCT Scan
- Quick — scan takes only 10–20 seconds.
- Comfortable — you simply stand still while the machine rotates.
- Referral-based — CBCT scans require a prescription from your dentist or specialist.
- Same-day delivery — your dentist receives digital 3D files and a free viewer.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
CBCT scans cost more than panoramic X-rays, but many dental insurance plans cover them when medically necessary for implants or surgery. At Fremont Dental Imaging, we provide transparent, flat-rate pricing and superbills for insurance reimbursement.
Conclusion
For dental implants, CBCT imaging isn't optional — it's the standard of care. By providing detailed 3D information, CBCT scans help ensure implants are placed safely, accurately, and with the best chance of long-term success.