3D Imaging with Cone Beam Tomography

This page is intended for the use of dentists for whom we offer a referral service for Cone Beam Scanning.

3D imaging offers a wealth of diagnostic information ensuring precision and safety in all aspects of dentistry from endodontics to implant planning. It provides fast and accurate visualisation of structures such as the ID canal and bone volume. The process allows for exact measurement of distance between structures, in a more advanced form this generates the images and 3D models used in computer guided surgery.

Traditionally, we have only had local access to medical CT scanners, these scanners are compromised in the dental field by their high dose rates, poor image quality, high patient cost and limited access to viewing software.

In comparison Dental Cone Beam Scanners produce higher resolution images with far less artefact and scatter, they can also be collimated so that the dose for a 40mm scan is as low as 28 micro sieverts compared with 450 from a conventional CT (the background dose in Cambridge is 7micro sieverts per day while a film based OPG is 20).

The cost of our scans varies between £100 for a 40mm scan to £220 for full mouth double scans that are compatible with Simplant™ and NobelGuide™.

We can export data in our own viewer software or as raw DICOM files formatted for Simplant™ and NobelGuide™. Additionally, in conjunction with Sean Goldner of CGI we can offer a service providing full formatting and 3D modelling of data for use in Simplant Planner, Simplant OneShot and Simplant Viewer platforms.

Scan Options and Costs

Delivery Options

i-Dixel One Volume Viewer™: One shot free viewer software which will provide measuring tools and the ability to view images in three planes, in volume and in a curved MPR. This option is excellent for the viewing and planning of implant cases.

Click to download the PDF file. Operator Instructions for One Volume Viewer. This will give an indication of the functionality of the free software. (file size 5mb)

Dicom for NobelGuide™: Data will be formatted to the protocol laid down by NobelBiocare for import into NobelGuide software.

Dicom for Simplant Pro™: Data will be formatted to the protocol laid down by Materialise for import into Simplant Pro and Simplant Master software.

Simplant Viewer™: With the advent of Simplant Viewer^TM dentists can view 3D models, axial, trans-axial, and curved arch re-slices without the need for investment in expensive software. You can also perform measurement of bone density, angles and distance. This software can then be upgraded at no loss in cost to Planner or OneShot should you require to place virtual implants and order surgical stents. An additional third party charge of £125 will for 3D modelling, software and support.

Click here to view the tutorial for Simplant Viewer software. (file size 2.8mb)

Simplant One Shot™: (additional third party charge will apply £420 for a 40mm and £480 for both arches for 3D modelling). This software offers the full functionality of the Simplant Pro for a single one-shot fee. However, with the advent of Simplant Viewer with a no cost upgrade to Simplant OneShot we see limited use for this package unless manufacture of a sterio-lithographic surgical stent is required.

Simplant Planner™: We can generate a formatted DICOM set for Planner users or forward to data direct to CGI who will then supply you with 3D images with separation of the teeth, bone, stent and any other structures of interest such as bone pins. The CGI charge for modelling is £175 for a 40mm or £235 for both arches.

Referral Forms

Click here to download our referral form

We also act as a Scanning Centre for CGI. We are quite happy for dentists to deal with CGI direct on 01442 872787. CGI will then liaise with all parties.

Our lead-time is normally only one to two days for a scan, the data will be sent by first class post on the evening of the scan. Advise the patients that they will be in the practice for about 30 minutes, it is best not to attend wearing any jewellery and if applicable remember to bring the imaging stent.

Sample Images

Please do not hesitate to contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to discuss our service in more detail or would like to view examples of images in Morita ODViewer and Simplant View software.

Information for NobelGuide Users: Fabricate your surgical stent to be thicker that a denture. The sterio-lithographic stents can be quite brittle and difficult to repair. The added bulk of the scanning stent will be translated into the surgical stent.

In partial cases allow the scanning stent to extend over the occlusal and incisal surfaces of the teeth, create windows in these extensions so that the correct seating of the stent can be easily verified.

The imaging stent should be processed in radiolucent acrylic, place about 10 radio-opaque markers into the base. These should be no more than 1mm in diameter (we suggest that you use no larger than a number 2 round bur and fill the hole with thermo-plasticized GP). The markers should be placed in varying positions in space and should not be adjacent to radio-opaque structures in the mouth that may cause scatter. A bite index (made from silicone putty) should be supplied to ensure that the stent seats fully against the tissues during the scan. The index should be fabricated with the incisors edge to edge and about 3mm apart.

Ensure that the stent is gum fit at the try-in stage so that lip support can be correctly assessed. However, at the finish stage the stent should have well extended flanges to allow good location and freedom in the placement of anchor pins.

Click here to download the protocol for manufacturing a two-piece stent for use when immediate extraction with guided placement of fixtures is required.

Hurst Park Dental Practice does not report upon scans and radiographs provided for referring dentists. To comply with the IRMER 2000 regulations all radiographs and scans are required to be reviewed and reported into the clinical records by the referring practitioner or by a radiologist. We strongly recommend that all scans and other radiographic examinations should be reported upon to rule out the possibility of coincidental pathology. We can offer a reporting service by a Consultant Radiologist.