Newport Beach Oral Surgery & Dental Implants Newport Beach Oral Surgery & Dental Implants by Dr. Nader Salib
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Planned, Not Discovered

3D Dental Imaging & Surgical Technology

For most of dentistry’s history, surgeons planned three-dimensional operations from flat pictures. Cone beam CT and digital scanning remove the guesswork — the whole operation is rehearsed on a virtual model before any instrument touches you.

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~50–200
µSv for a CBCT — near a long flight
< 1 min
actual scan exposure
DICOM
your scan, yours to share
ALARA
as low as reasonably achievable
~50–200
µSv for a CBCT — near a long flight
< 1 min
actual scan exposure
DICOM
your scan, yours to share
ALARA
as low as reasonably achievable

How It Works

CBCT vs panoramic X-ray
CBCT (3D)
Panoramic (2D)
Shows
Where things are
What is there
Dimensions
Three, in mm
One, flattened
Dose (µSv)
~50–200
~10–25
Guides surgery
Yes
No

A cone beam CT rotates a cone-shaped X-ray beam once around your head and reconstructs a three-dimensional model of your jaws, teeth, sinuses, nerves and airway — where things are, measurable in millimeters.

A panoramic X-ray shows what is there; a CBCT shows where it is. Unlike a medical CT — a fan beam in a tunnel at much higher radiation — a dental CBCT is designed for the jaws at a low dose, taken upright in the open.

What 3D Imaging Is Used For

Dental implants
Measuring bone volume and density, and setting safe margins from the nerve and sinus.
Full-arch & zygomatic
Planning implant position and angulation across a whole jaw, including the cheekbone.
Wisdom teeth & extractions
Mapping the nerve in relation to the roots before surgery rather than during it.
TMJ assessment
Evaluating the bony joint surfaces, joint space and erosion.
Airway analysis
Measuring airway dimensions and skeletal position in sleep apnea evaluation.
Orthognathic surgery
Virtual planning of jaw movements and the printed splints that transfer them.

How the Scans Become a Plan

01
A small handheld scanner builds a digital model of your teeth and gums in a few minutes — no impression tray.
02
A CBCT captures the bone, nerves, sinuses and airway in three dimensions.
03
The two are merged in planning software into one virtual model of your anatomy.
04
Prosthetic-driven planning chooses the implant position where the final tooth needs to be, then checks the bone.
05
A 3D-printed guide, or live navigation, transfers that plan precisely into the mouth.

How the Scans Become a Plan

01A small handheld scanner builds a digital model of your teeth and gums in a few minutes — no impression tray.
02A CBCT captures the bone, nerves, sinuses and airway in three dimensions.
03The two are merged in planning software into one virtual model of your anatomy.
04Prosthetic-driven planning chooses the implant position where the final tooth needs to be, then checks the bone.
05A 3D-printed guide, or live navigation, transfers that plan precisely into the mouth.

What to Expect During Your Scan

No preparation, no injection and no contrast dye
You sit or stand upright with your chin on a small rest
The machine rotates around your head once — exposure lasts well under a minute
No tunnel and nothing encloses you, so it suits patients who find MRI claustrophobic
Tell the team if you are or might be pregnant, so imaging can be deferred

What Does It Cost?

Imaging is frequently bundled into a surgical plan rather than billed separately. Typical U.S. ranges: a panoramic X-ray $100–$250, a cone beam CT $150–$750 (avg ~$350).

Coverage varies — dental plans sometimes cover a CBCT that supports a covered procedure, while imaging for jaw surgery, sleep apnea or pathology is often billed to medical insurance. Market ranges, not a quote; a written estimate follows your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much radiation is a CBCT compared to a panoramic X-ray or a medical CT?
Published typical figures put a dental panoramic around 10 to 25 microsieverts, a small-field dental CBCT around 50 to 200, and a medical head CT around 1,000 to 2,000. For comparison, average U.S. background radiation is roughly 3,000 microsieverts a year. Actual dose depends on the machine and settings.
How long does the scan take, and does it hurt?
Actual exposure is well under a minute and the appointment takes a few minutes. Nothing touches you beyond a chin rest, there is no injection, and there is no sensation during the scan.
Is it safe if I am pregnant?
Tell the team before any imaging. Elective scans are usually postponed during pregnancy, and if imaging is genuinely necessary it is discussed with your physician first.
Can my dentist send me just for a scan, or send you a scan I already have?
Yes to both, in most cases. Existing scans can often be reviewed rather than repeated if they are recent and cover the right area at adequate resolution.
Is guided surgery more accurate than freehand?
Guided placement transfers a pre-planned position, angle and depth into the mouth, which generally improves precision in demanding sites and full-arch cases. Not every case requires a guide, and an experienced surgeon achieves excellent freehand results in straightforward sites.
Can I get a copy of my scan?
Yes. Scans can be exported in DICOM format for your records or for another provider. Ask us and we will prepare it for you or point you to the right place.

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2121 E Coast Hwy, Ste 160, Corona del Mar · Mon–Thu 8–5, Fri 8–2

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