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CBCT scan before dental implants: what it is and why you need it
A CBCT scan is the standard of care for implant planning. It shows bone in 3D, nerve position, and sinus proximity. Learn what it costs in the UK versus Vietnam.
Yes, a CBCT (Conebeam CT) scan is the standard of care before dental implant surgery. It produces a 3D image of your jawbone showing bone height, width, and density at the exact implant site, as well as the location of the inferior alveolar nerve and the floor of the sinus. At Picasso Dental Clinic in Da Nang, a CBCT costs GBP 17 as of May 2026. UK private clinics charge GBP 200 to GBP 400 for the same scan.
Yes, you need a CBCT scan before a dental implant. It is not optional and it is not a way to add cost to your treatment. It is the only way to plan implant surgery safely.
What CBCT stands for
CBCT stands for Conebeam Computed Tomography. It is also called Conebeam CT or a 3D dental scan. It is not the same machine used for hospital CT scans, though the underlying principle is similar.
A dental CBCT uses a cone-shaped X-ray beam that rotates around your head and captures data from multiple angles. Software reconstructs this data into a three-dimensional model of your jaw. Your dentist or implant surgeon can then view the jaw from any angle, measure bone dimensions precisely, and plan the exact position and angle of each implant before touching a drill.
Why a 3D scan is needed: what CBCT shows that OPG cannot
A standard OPG panoramic X-ray is a 2D image. It gives a flat overview of your teeth and jaw. For initial screening and treatment planning discussions, it is useful. For surgical execution, it is not enough.
Here is what a CBCT reveals that an OPG cannot:
1. Bone volume in three dimensions. An OPG shows how tall your bone is. A CBCT shows height AND width. A bone that looks adequate in height on an OPG may be too narrow to accept a standard implant. A CBCT catches this before surgery.
2. Exact position of the inferior alveolar nerve. The inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) runs through the lower jaw. Drilling too close to it causes permanent numbness or altered sensation in the lip, chin, or tongue. An OPG gives an approximate 2D view of the nerve canal. A CBCT gives its exact three-dimensional position relative to your proposed implant site.
3. Proximity to the maxillary sinus. Upper jaw implants in the molar and premolar region are often close to the maxillary sinus. A CBCT shows the exact sinus floor position and the amount of bone beneath it. If there is insufficient bone, a sinus lift procedure is needed before implant placement. Discovering this on the CBCT, not during surgery, is what you want.
4. Bone density. CBCT software measures bone density (expressed in Hounsfield units). Low-density bone requires a modified surgical approach and may affect how long an implant needs to osseointegrate before loading. Bone density affects implant stability and the risk of early failure.
5. Root anatomy of adjacent teeth. The CBCT shows the exact angle and depth of roots beside the planned implant site. This prevents inadvertent root damage during drilling.
The clinical case for CBCT: what the guidelines say
The International Team for Implantology (ITI), the leading international professional body for implantology, states in its clinical practice guidelines that three-dimensional radiographic assessment is required for implant treatment in most clinical scenarios. It is a standard protocol, not a precautionary extra.
NICE guidance on dental implants (TA176) similarly emphasises the need for thorough pre-surgical assessment including radiographic examination appropriate to the surgical plan.
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong, Head of Implantology at Picasso Dental Clinic, uses CBCT scanning for all implant planning. With over 25 years of experience, 15,000 implants placed, and more than 1,000 All-on-4 cases completed, Dr. Phong’s protocol reflects the current standard in the field. Every implant plan at Picasso begins with a CBCT.
What the CBCT determines before surgery
When the scan has been reviewed, the clinical team can answer these questions before you commit to treatment:
- Is there sufficient bone volume for an implant at the planned site?
- What implant diameter and length are appropriate?
- Is a bone graft required before or during implant placement?
- Is a sinus lift required for upper jaw placement?
- What is the safe drilling angle and depth relative to the nerve?
- For All-on-4 cases: is the bone anatomy suitable for the angled posterior implants?
All of this information is established in advance. Nothing is discovered for the first time during surgery.
CBCT cost: UK versus Picasso Vietnam
| UK private implant clinic | Picasso Dental Clinic (May 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| CBCT scan | GBP 200 to GBP 400 | GBP 17 |
| OPG panoramic X-ray | GBP 80 to GBP 150 | GBP 9 |
| Implant consultation | GBP 50 to GBP 150 | GBP 6 |
UK implant clinics sometimes include the CBCT in a package quote without itemising it. The scan cost is still present; it is simply not shown separately. Patients comparing itemised and packaged quotes should ask specifically whether the CBCT is included.
At Picasso, the CBCT is taken on arrival at or before the consultation in Da Nang. You do not need to arrange a scan in the UK before travelling.
When the CBCT is taken at Picasso
The CBCT is taken on or before your first consultation in Da Nang. This is day one or two of your trip. Dr. Tran Thanh Phong reviews the scan, confirms the implant plan, and discusses any findings with you before any surgical commitment is made.
If the scan reveals that bone grafting is required, this is disclosed at the consultation, before any treatment begins. The options and any cost adjustment are explained clearly. You can decide whether to proceed.
Implant trip one (placement) is 7 to 10 days. Trip two (crown fitting) is 5 to 7 days, taken 3 to 6 months later once osseointegration is confirmed.
CBCT for All-on-4 treatment
For All-on-4 cases (full arch replacement on four implants), CBCT planning is especially critical. The two posterior implants in an All-on-4 protocol are placed at an angle to maximise contact with available bone while avoiding the sinus or nerve. The precise angle is determined from the 3D scan, not from a 2D OPG.
The CBCT also determines whether All-on-4 is appropriate at all, or whether All-on-6 would give better support given the bone volume available. This decision is made from the scan, not from a surface examination alone.
Dr. Phong was the first Vietnamese dentist to perform All-on-4 immediate loading. His All-on-4 planning protocol uses CBCT for every case.
Radiation dose from a CBCT
A CBCT scan delivers a higher radiation dose than an OPG, but substantially lower than a standard hospital CT scan.
| Scan type | Approximate effective dose |
|---|---|
| OPG panoramic X-ray | 14 to 24 microsieverts |
| Dental CBCT (focused jaw scan) | 50 to 200 microsieverts |
| Medical CT (head) | 2,000 microsieverts |
| Annual UK background radiation | 2,700 microsieverts |
A dental CBCT is justified when surgery is planned. The diagnostic benefit, which includes preventing nerve damage, sinus perforation, and implant failure, substantially outweighs the minimal radiation dose. It is not taken as a routine screening image, only when surgical planning requires it.
If you already have a CBCT from a UK dentist
If your UK dentist or implant specialist has already taken a CBCT, you can use that scan at Picasso if it meets two conditions. First, the scan must be recent, ideally within 12 to 18 months. Bone changes after extractions, and an older scan may not reflect your current anatomy.
Second, the file must be in DICOM format, the standard medical imaging file type. Ask your UK dentist for the DICOM file on a USB drive. A printed image or a JPEG photograph of the scan screen is not adequate for surgical planning.
Email the DICOM file to [email protected] before your trip. This allows Dr. Phong’s team to review your case in advance and have a preliminary plan ready before your consultation appointment.
Does a UK OPG replace the need for a CBCT?
No. These are different images for different stages of planning.
An OPG is appropriate for initial screening, general treatment planning, and providing a working quote. It shows whether implants are likely to be feasible. A CBCT is required for the surgical plan itself. No implant surgeon should be placing implants based solely on a 2D panoramic image.
If a UK or overseas clinic offers to proceed with implant surgery based on an OPG alone, that is a concern worth raising. The CBCT is a standard requirement, not an optional upgrade.
When to consider your options before travelling
If you are at an early enquiry stage and simply want to understand whether implants are viable for your case, a UK OPG is a reasonable first step. It costs GBP 80 to GBP 150 and gives enough information for an initial quote from Picasso.
Once you have decided to proceed with treatment in Vietnam, the CBCT is taken in Da Nang at GBP 17. There is no need to pay GBP 200 to GBP 400 for a CBCT in the UK before travelling unless you already have one from recent treatment.
If you are uncertain whether your bone is adequate for implants at all, ask your UK dentist for an OPG first. Send it to Picasso for a written assessment. That assessment will tell you whether a CBCT is the appropriate next step.
Send your OPG or photographs to Picasso for a free written assessment and itemised GBP implant quote.