If your dentist referred you for a CBCT, the prescription may say "limited field of view" or "full arch."
Both are cone-beam CT scans. The difference is how much anatomy is captured — a focused region versus an entire dental arch. Your dentist chooses the smaller volume when it answers the clinical question, which also keeps the scan targeted.
What Is a Limited Field of View CBCT?
A limited FOV CBCT captures a specific area in high-resolution 3D — typically a few teeth, a single implant site, or a localized area of concern.
Dentists and specialists commonly order it for:
- Endodontic (root canal) diagnosis and complex canal anatomy
- A single implant site and nearby nerve or sinus position
- Localized pathology, such as a cyst or lesion in one region
- An impacted tooth relative to adjacent roots
What Is a Full Arch CBCT?
A full-arch CBCT captures the entire maxilla or mandible in 3D. It is used when treatment planning needs a complete view of one jaw — bone volume, nerve canals, and sinus anatomy along that arch.
Typical uses include:
- Implant planning across several sites or a full arch
- Oral surgery that involves a larger segment of the jaw
- Airway or sinus evaluation when the referral includes that arch
- Orthodontic or surgical planning that needs 3D jaw relationships
Limited FOV vs Full Arch: Key Differences
| Feature | Limited FOV CBCT | Full Arch CBCT |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | A focused region (a few teeth or one site) | One complete dental arch |
| Typical uses | Root canals, single implant, local pathology | Multi-site implants, surgery, arch-wide planning |
| Volume | Smaller 3D dataset | Larger 3D dataset of one jaw |
| Referral | Required — your dentist specifies the region | Required — your dentist specifies the arch |
Neither scan is "better" in general. The right study is the one that matches the question your dentist needs to answer.
When Do Dentists Recommend Each?
Limited FOV
A specific tooth, implant site, or small region — when a full jaw view is not needed.
Full arch
Planning that involves the whole arch, several implant sites, or surgical mapping of one jaw.
If you are unsure which study is on your referral, call us with the prescription. We match the scan to what your dentist ordered.
Safety, Cost, and What to Expect
Both studies are low-dose 3D dental scans compared with medical CT. We follow ALARA and size the field to the prescription. A limited FOV is a smaller acquisition; a full-arch scan covers more anatomy, which is why the fees differ.
Capture is typically quick. Digital DICOM files are commonly delivered the same day to you and your referring dentist.
CBCT Imaging in Fremont
Fremont Dental Imaging provides limited FOV and full-arch CBCT for patients and referring dentists in Fremont, Warm Springs, Milpitas, and the East Bay. CBCT scans require a referral so the field of view is prescribed correctly.