Medically reviewed by Dr. Timur Mozner, DDS, SUNY Stony Brook 1998 | NYU AEGD Prosthodontics 1999 | NYU Faculty since 2020 | 28+ Years Experience | Last Updated: April 2026
Quick Answer
A dental CT scan (more accurately a Cone Beam CT or CBCT) takes 15 to 40 seconds of actual scan time. The full appointment, including positioning, the scan itself, and a brief review with your dentist, typically runs 10 to 15 minutes. Radiation exposure is much lower than a medical CT (about 1/100th), the scan is painless, and the resulting 3D image is what allows precise implant planning, surgical guides, accurate diagnosis of cracked teeth, and safe wisdom-tooth extraction near the inferior alveolar nerve. Costs in the Long Island metro range $250 to $500, often included with implant or oral-surgery treatment plans.
If your dentist has recommended a 3D dental scan, you have probably wondered exactly how long it will take, what the experience is like, and whether the radiation is safe. This guide answers all of those questions in plain terms, from the perspective of a Syosset dental practice that uses Cone Beam CT (CBCT) imaging on a daily basis for implant planning, complex extractions, and difficult diagnostic cases.
The short version: dental CT scans are quick, painless, and usually the single most useful imaging tool a dentist has. The longer version covers the actual time, what the scan shows, when you actually need one, what it costs in Nassau County, and how it compares to a traditional dental X-ray.
How Long the Scan Actually Takes
The timing breakdown for a typical CBCT scan:
- Check-in and positioning: 3 to 5 minutes. Standing or sitting in the scanner, your head positioned in a chin rest, your dentist or technician aligning the beam with your jaw.
- The actual scan: 15 to 40 seconds. The CBCT arm rotates around your head one time. You stay still and breathe normally.
- Image processing: 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The 3D reconstruction renders on the dentist’s screen. Modern systems are nearly instant.
- Review with your dentist: 5 to 10 minutes. Walking through the 3D model, identifying the structures the dentist needs to see (implant sites, root canals, jaw bone height, sinus position, nerve canals, impacted teeth).
Total appointment: typically 10 to 15 minutes. The scan itself is shorter than the time it took you to fill out paperwork at your first visit.
What a Dental CT Scan Actually Shows
A traditional 2D dental X-ray shows a flat picture. A CBCT shows a complete 3D model of your jaws, teeth, and surrounding structures from any angle. That capability changes what your dentist can see and plan:
- Bone height, width, and density at every potential implant site. This is the foundation of implant planning. Without 3D data, the dentist is guessing whether there is enough bone to support an implant.
- The exact position of the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw. Cutting too close to this nerve during a wisdom-tooth extraction or implant placement can cause permanent numbness. CBCT shows the nerve location to within fractions of a millimeter.
- The maxillary sinus floor in the upper jaw. Implants in the upper back jaw frequently need a sinus lift if the bone is too thin. CBCT measures the bone height precisely.
- Root canal anatomy. Hidden extra root canals (common in upper molars) become visible on CBCT, often catching cases where a 2D X-ray missed an entire canal.
- Cracked teeth. Hairline fractures that do not show on traditional X-rays sometimes appear on CBCT.
- Impacted teeth. Wisdom teeth or supernumerary teeth that are stuck under the gum show up clearly with their exact orientation and proximity to nerves.
- Pathology. Cysts, tumors, and bone lesions are detected and characterized in 3D.
For implant cases specifically, CBCT is no longer optional. Per Dr. Mozner: “The surgery itself is often done atraumatically, meaning with not a lot of tissue manipulation, thanks to the modern CT scan, instrumentarium, and modern dentistry.” Skipping the CBCT means flying blind on bone height, nerve location, and sinus anatomy at the same time.
Is a Dental CT Scan Safe? Radiation Compared
The radiation question is what most patients want to know. The honest answer: dental CBCT delivers far less radiation than a traditional medical CT, but more than a single dental X-ray. The numbers, in microsieverts (µSv):
- Single dental bitewing X-ray: ~5 µSv
- Full-mouth dental X-ray series: ~150 µSv
- Dental CBCT (focused jaw scan): ~20 to 200 µSv depending on field of view and resolution settings
- Medical chest CT scan: ~7,000 µSv
- Annual background radiation (just from being alive): ~3,000 µSv
So a typical dental CBCT delivers about 1 to 7 days of background radiation, or roughly 1/30th to 1/100th of a medical chest CT. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology agree that CBCT is safe and appropriate when it provides clinical information that a 2D image cannot.
That said, no imaging is risk-free, which is why responsible dentists only order CBCT when it changes the treatment plan. Routine cavity checkups do not need CBCT. Implant planning, wisdom tooth extractions near nerves, and complex root canal evaluations almost always do.
When You Actually Need a Dental CT Scan
Cases where a CBCT is the standard of care:
- Dental implant planning (single tooth, multiple teeth, or full-arch like All-on-6)
- Wisdom tooth extraction when the tooth is near the inferior alveolar nerve or maxillary sinus
- Sinus lift planning for upper jaw implants
- Bone grafting evaluation before or after implant surgery
- Suspected cracked tooth that 2D X-rays cannot confirm
- Endodontic re-treatment when prior root canal therapy has failed and the dentist needs to identify missed canals
- Trauma evaluation after a facial or jaw injury
- Cyst, tumor, or pathology evaluation
- Orthognathic (jaw) surgery planning
- TMJ evaluation when the joint anatomy needs to be measured
Cases where a CBCT is usually not needed:
- Routine 6-month cleaning checkups
- Single cavity diagnosis that a 2D bitewing already shows clearly
- Simple tooth extraction with no impaction or nerve proximity
- Standard crown or veneer planning (digital intraoral scans are the right tool for these)
CBCT vs Traditional Dental X-Ray
The two are not interchangeable. They serve different purposes:
| Imaging Type | Best For | Radiation |
|---|---|---|
| Single bitewing X-ray | Detecting cavities between teeth, monitoring small fillings | ~5 µSv |
| Full-mouth series | Complete cavity check, periodontal evaluation | ~150 µSv |
| Panoramic X-ray | Overview of all teeth + jaws, wisdom tooth screening | ~25 µSv |
| CBCT (dental CT) | 3D bone evaluation for implants, complex extractions, root canal anatomy, pathology | ~20 to 200 µSv |
Most patients receive bitewings every 1 to 2 years and a full-mouth series every 3 to 5 years. CBCT is reserved for specific clinical needs, not routine screening.
What a Dental CT Scan Costs in Long Island
Pricing varies by office and by the size of the field of view (focused jaw vs. full skull). In the Long Island metro:
- Focused dental CBCT: $250 to $500 typical out-of-pocket
- Full-arch or large field-of-view CBCT: $400 to $800
- Implant treatment plans often include the CBCT in the overall fee, particularly for the all-inclusive packages.
Insurance coverage is mixed. Most PPO dental plans cover diagnostic imaging including CBCT when it is medically necessary, though coverage often counts against your annual maximum. Medicare typically does not cover dental imaging. Creative Dental of Syosset works with PPO plans and offers CareCredit financing for the patient portion.
At Creative Dental of Syosset, every step, from your cleaning to a complex implant, is performed by one doctor in one boutique office. Dr. Timur Mozner is a NYU dental school faculty member and 3x America’s Best Dentist who has placed over 3,000 implants in his Syosset practice.
Dr. Timur Mozner, DDS, Creative Dental of Syosset
Creative Dental of Syosset
Creative Dental of Syosset is a boutique single-doctor dental practice at 34 S Oyster Bay Rd, Syosset, NY 11791. Dr. Timur Mozner, DDS, is the Main Clinical Supervising Faculty at NYU Dental School (since 2020) and a 3-time recipient of America’s Best Dentists (2015, 2017, 2021). He has placed over 3,000 dental implants with a 96% success rate, and uses Cone Beam CT imaging for every implant placement and complex extraction. The office serves patients from Syosset, Oyster Bay, Woodbury, Jericho, Plainview, Hicksville, Bethpage, Old Bethpage, Massapequa, Greenvale, Glen Head, Glen Cove, and across Nassau County.
If you have been told you need a dental CT scan, or if you are considering dental implants and want to start with a 3D evaluation, schedule a consultation. We accept PPO insurance and offer CareCredit financing.
Or call (516) 921-3290
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dental CT scan the same as a regular CT scan?
No. A dental Cone Beam CT (CBCT) is a much smaller, lower-radiation device specifically designed for the jaws and face. A medical CT scan covers a much larger area and uses far more radiation. CBCT delivers roughly 1/30th to 1/100th of the radiation of a medical chest CT.
Will I be enclosed in a tube like a hospital MRI or CT?
No. CBCT machines are open. You stand or sit upright with your head in a chin rest while a small arm rotates around your head once. There is no enclosed tube. Patients with claustrophobia have no issue with CBCT.
Does insurance cover a dental CT scan?
Most PPO dental plans cover diagnostic imaging including CBCT when it is medically necessary, though coverage usually counts against your annual maximum. Medicare typically does not cover dental imaging. Coverage details vary by plan; we verify benefits before treatment.
Can I drive after a dental CT scan?
Yes. There is no sedation, no contrast injection, and no recovery time. You walk in, get the scan, and walk out. Daily activity continues immediately.
Should I avoid dental CT scans during pregnancy?
Elective dental imaging including CBCT is usually postponed during pregnancy unless there is an urgent clinical need. If imaging is necessary, lead aprons and thyroid collars are used and the field of view is minimized. Discuss with your obstetrician and your dentist.
How much does a dental CT scan cost in Long Island?
Focused dental CBCT typically runs $250 to $500 out-of-pocket. Full-arch or large field-of-view scans run $400 to $800. Implant treatment plans frequently include the CBCT in the overall fee. PPO insurance often covers part of the cost when medically necessary.
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your individual needs.