Unlike traditional x-rays, which provide a flat 2D image, a CBCT scan allows the dentist or endodontist to see a 360-degree view of the tooth and surrounding areas. This can be particularly useful for planning for root canals, dental implants, diagnosing TMJ disorders, or assessing the extent of dental trauma.

Oral and maxillofacial radiology is a recognized specialty in dentistry. Practitioners who perform and evaluate CBCT scans are held to the same professional standards as Board-certified radiologists.

Cone beam computed tomography (or CBCT, also referred to as C-arm CT, cone beam volume CT, flat panel CT or Digital Volume Tomography (DVT)) is a medical imaging technique consisting of X-ray computed tomography where the X-rays are divergent, forming a cone.

During a CBCT scan, the imaging machine rotates entirely around the patient's head. In less than a minute, about 150-200 images are captured from a variety of angles and compiled into a single 3D image. CBCT scans are quick and in most cases, a full mouth scan only takes about 20-40 seconds.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates that the extra risk of any one person developing a fatal cancer from a typical CT procedure is about 1 in 2,000. MRIs do not use ionizing radiation, so there is no issue of raising cancer risk. But they take much longer to complete than CTs.