3D imaging in dentistry: what an iTero scan and a CBCT scan show

The short answer: "3D imaging" in dentistry means one of two different tools. An iTero scan uses light to build a 3D model of your teeth and gums, with no radiation. A CBCT scan is a 3D X-ray that shows what lies under the surface: bone, nerves and sinuses. Most people only ever need the first.

The iTero scan

A small wand is moved around your teeth for a few minutes. It records thousands of images and joins them into an accurate 3D model on the screen in front of you.

• No radiation, so it can be repeated as often as needed.
• No impression trays or putty in your mouth.
• You see what we see: worn edges, gaps, tartar and bite problems are visible on screen, so the explanation makes sense.

We use it for check-ups, Invisalign and braces planning, crowns, veneers and smile design. It is included in the ₹500 consultation.

The CBCT scan

CBCT stands for cone beam computed tomography. The machine rotates once around your head and produces a 3D X-ray that can be viewed in slices from any angle. It shows things a flat X-ray cannot:

• The exact height, width and density of bone before a dental implant
• How close the nerve in the lower jaw runs to a tooth or implant site
• The position of an impacted wisdom tooth
• Hidden infection, extra canals or cracks in some root canal cases
• The jaw joints and airway in some orthodontic assessments

Is CBCT radiation a concern?

A dental CBCT uses more radiation than a single small dental X-ray, and much less than a medical CT scan. For that reason we take one only when the result changes the treatment plan, and we tell you why it is needed and what it costs before it is taken.

Which do you need?

• Check-up, cleaning, small fillings: iTero scan, plus a small X-ray if needed.
• Braces or aligners: iTero scan, a full-mouth X-ray (OPG) and sometimes a side-view skull X-ray.
• Crowns and veneers: iTero scan.
• Implants: CBCT, plus an iTero scan for the crown.
• Impacted wisdom teeth near the nerve: CBCT.

Costs

The iTero scan is part of the ₹500 consultation. Standard X-rays are ₹200 for a small single-tooth X-ray and ₹500 for a full-mouth OPG. If you need a CBCT, the price is given to you in advance.

Booking a visit

The first visit is a ₹500 consultation. It includes an iTero 3D scan, so you see your own teeth on screen, an explanation of what we find, and a written plan with the exact price. Call Kondapur on +91 7416 644 400 or Vizag on +91 9849 132 388, or book through the Kondapur or Vizag page.