3D Dental Cone Beam CT Scans in Boise, ID
A cone beam CT (CBCT) scan is a 3D volumetric X-ray that shows your entire jaw anatomy, teeth, roots, nerves, sinuses, bone, in precise detail a traditional 2D X-ray can’t reach. Lamb Family Dental has CBCT on-site, which means implant planning, root canal diagnosis, and airway assessment happen at our office without a separate radiology visit. Lower radiation than traditional CT. Faster. Safer. Gentle as a Lamb.
What a Cone Beam CT Scan Does That Traditional X-rays Can’t
A traditional 2D dental X-ray compresses a 3D structure onto a flat film, which means overlapping anatomy, hidden details, and no real depth information. A CBCT scan captures hundreds of 2D slices in a single rotation around your head and reconstructs them into a 3D model. That model lets your dentist measure bone volume to the millimeter, map nerve pathways precisely, visualize canal anatomy in a tooth that needs a root canal, and plan implant placement without guessing.
The scan itself takes about 20 seconds. You stand or sit still while the scanner arm rotates once around your head. No dyes, no injections, no tunnel. The 3D image is available immediately for your dentist to review with you at the same visit.
Lower Radiation Than Medical CT
CBCT uses 10x less radiation than a conventional medical CT scan, safer for patients who need multiple diagnostic images.
On-Site at Our Office
No separate radiology visit. We image, plan, and discuss findings with you in the same appointment.
20-Second Scan
The imaging itself takes about 20 seconds, one rotation around your head. Comfortable, no tunnel, no dye.
Immediate 3D Reconstruction
The 3D model is available right away for your dentist to show you exactly what’s going on in your jaw.
When We Use CBCT
Dental Implant Planning
The single biggest use. Precise bone-volume measurement and nerve mapping lets us plan each dental implant placement to the millimeter before surgery. Knowing exactly where the inferior alveolar nerve runs in a lower molar case, or where the maxillary sinus sits above an upper molar site, prevents complications that traditional 2D X-rays can miss.
Complex Root Canal Diagnosis
Molars often have curved or hidden extra canals that don’t show up clearly on 2D X-rays. CBCT reveals full canal anatomy before starting a root canal so we know exactly what we’re working with, fewer surprises, higher success rates.
Airway and Sleep Apnea Assessment
The 3D scan can visualize the airway at rest, useful when screening for sleep-apnea-related obstruction and when planning oral appliance therapy for patients who snore or have been diagnosed with mild-to-moderate sleep apnea.
TMJ and Bite Analysis
The jaw joint (temporomandibular joint) is visible in cross-section, which helps diagnose TMJ disorders and plan bite correction or night-guard therapy.
Impacted Teeth, Cysts, and Jaw Pathology
Impacted wisdom teeth, unerupted canines in younger patients, and jaw cysts or lesions are all easier to evaluate in 3D. The scan lets us see spatial relationships that affect treatment planning.
Is a CBCT Scan Safe?
Yes, CBCT is a well-established imaging technology with a safety profile significantly better than traditional medical CT. Radiation dose varies by scan size and manufacturer, but a typical dental CBCT delivers roughly the radiation of a transcontinental flight. We order CBCT only when the clinical benefit clearly outweighs the radiation exposure, and we minimize scan-field size to image only the area being evaluated.
We do not take CBCT scans as a routine screen. Standard bitewing X-rays remain the go-to for annual cavity screening. CBCT is reserved for situations where 3D information genuinely changes the treatment plan.
What to Expect at a CBCT Appointment
- No prep required. Eat normally, drink normally, no fasting.
- Remove metal jewelry. Earrings, necklaces, glasses come off. Metal in the scan field creates artifacts.
- Positioning. You’ll stand or sit still in the scanner. A small bite block helps hold your head in the correct position.
- Scan. One rotation around your head, about 20 seconds. You’ll hear the machine move but won’t feel anything.
- Review. The 3D model is available immediately. Dr. Mack or Dr. Pelletier reviews the image with you at the same visit, showing what they see and what it means for your treatment.
How Much Does a CBCT Scan Cost?
A CBCT scan at Lamb Family Dental typically runs $250–$450, depending on the scan field size. Smaller scans (single-tooth for a root canal or implant) are less expensive; full-jaw scans for sleep apnea assessment or complex implant planning run higher.
Most dental insurance plans partially cover CBCT when clinically indicated, implant planning and complex root canal diagnosis are the most commonly covered scenarios. We verify your coverage before the scan is ordered.
Meet Your Boise Dentists
Dr. Kimball Mack, DMD
Co-lead dentist certified in CBCT interpretation for implant planning, root canal diagnosis, and sleep airway assessment.
Dr. Kyle Pelletier, DMD
Co-lead dentist who handles many of our implant cases from initial CBCT through final crown placement.
Frequently Asked Questions About CBCT Scans
What’s the difference between a CBCT scan and a regular dental X-ray?
A regular dental X-ray is a 2D image, it compresses 3D anatomy onto a flat film, which means overlapping structures and no depth information. A CBCT scan produces a 3D volumetric model of your jaw from hundreds of 2D slices, letting your dentist measure bone and plan treatment with millimeter accuracy. Standard X-rays remain the go-to for routine cavity screening; CBCT is used for implant planning, complex root canal diagnosis, and other cases where 3D information changes the plan.
Is a CBCT scan safe?
Yes. CBCT uses about 10x less radiation than a conventional medical CT scan, and we minimize the scan field to image only the area being evaluated. Exposure is roughly the radiation of a transcontinental flight. We order CBCT only when clinical benefit clearly outweighs exposure.
How long does a CBCT scan take?
The scan itself is about 20 seconds, one rotation of the imaging arm around your head. Total appointment time including positioning and immediate review is typically 10–15 minutes. The 3D image is available right away for your dentist to review with you.
Do I need a CBCT scan for a dental implant?
Nearly always. Placing a dental implant without 3D imaging means guessing at bone volume, nerve position, and sinus proximity, and modern implant dentistry considers CBCT the standard of care. A CBCT scan before implant placement dramatically improves success rates and prevents complications.
Does insurance cover CBCT scans?
Most dental insurance plans partially cover CBCT when clinically indicated, typically for implant planning, complex root canal diagnosis, impacted tooth evaluation, and TMJ analysis. Coverage varies by plan. We verify your specific coverage before the scan is ordered and provide the expected out-of-pocket cost up front.
Related Services That Often Include CBCT
- Dental implants, CBCT is standard for planning
- Root canals, used when canal anatomy is complex
- Sleep apnea & snoring, for airway assessment
- General dentistry hub →
Need 3D Imaging?
Schedule a consultation. If 3D imaging is clinically indicated for your case, we’ll do it on-site the same visit.