In medicine, one basic principle applies: you can only treat what you can see. For decades, conventional two-dimensional X-rays were considered the gold standard. However, the human jaw is not flat like a sheet of paper—it is a complex three-dimensional structure containing neural pathways, delicate bone formations and hidden cavities.
With digital volume tomography (DVT)– internationally known as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) — we are now able to visualise this space in exact detail. For you as a patient, this means diagnostics without guesswork, maximum safety during procedures, and a significantly lower radiation dose compared to conventional medical CT scans.
Why a standard X-ray is sometimes not enough
Imagine looking at a forest from the front. You can see the trees in the first row, but everything behind them is obscured. The same applies to 2D X-rays: anatomical structures overlap. Inflammation behind a tooth root or the exact position of a nerve within the jawbone often remains hidden.
A CBCT scan, by contrast, creates a digital twin of your jaw. We can rotate it, examine it from all angles and virtually slice it layer by layer—allowing us to analyse every anatomical detail before we ever pick up an instrument.
The three key advantages of 3D diagnostics
1. Guided safety in Implant Dentistry
Placing a dental implant is precision work on a millimetre scale. In the past, surgeons often had to assess bone conditions during the procedure itself. Today, CBCT allows for what is known as backward planning:
- Precise measurement of available bone (height, width and quality)
- Exact localisation of sensitive structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve or the maxillary sinus
- The result: We can plan the ideal implant position digitally in advance and often create surgical guides that lead the drill precisely to the planned site. This significantly reduces the risk of nerve injury, allows for minimally invasive procedures and often shortens treatment time.
2. Root Canal Treatment: finding what was previously invisible
When a tooth continues to cause pain after root canal treatment, the reason is often tiny, hidden accessory canals that were not visible on standard X-rays. CBCT imaging reveals the full complexity of the root canal system. We can identify exactly how many canals are present and how they are curved – dramatically increasing the success rate of tooth preservation.
3. Oral surgery (wisdom teeth and more)
Before removing impacted wisdom teeth, critical questions must be answered: Does the root encircle a nerve? Is the tooth close to the maxillary sinus? Three-dimensional imaging allows us to choose a surgical approach that protects these structures as much as possible.
Radiation Exposure: A fair comparison
Many patients feel uneasy when they hear the term tomography, often associating it with the high radiation dose of conventional medical CT scans used in hospitals. Here we can offer reassurance: CBCT is specifically designed for the head and neck region.
- Technology: Instead of scanning the body slice by slice, CBCT uses a cone-shaped beam that captures the entire area in a single rotation.
- Dose: Depending on the device and settings, radiation exposure can be up to 80% lower than with conventional CT scans.
- ALADA principle: We never take X-rays without clear indication. We follow the principle “As Low As Diagnostically Acceptable”—as little radiation as possible, as much as necessary for a safe diagnosis.
Comfort instead of a tunnel
Another advantage for patients with claustrophobia: CBCT machines are open systems. You do not have to lie in a narrow tube. The scan is usually performed while standing or sitting; the device rotates once around your head, and the process is complete within 10 to 20 seconds.
Conclusion: Three-dimensional diagnostics are not a luxury. In many complex cases, they are now the standard of responsible, modern dentistry. CBCT transforms assumptions into certainty—and that is the best foundation for your long-term oral health.