What is the Difference Between a CT and CBCT?

CBCT is a type of CT scan. Both use X-rays to create three-dimensional images, but they differ in how they capture images and what they are best suited to evaluate.

Conventional medical CT typically uses a fan-shaped X-ray beam and can evaluate both bone and soft tissues. It is commonly used in hospitals and medical imaging centers.

Cone beam CT (CBCT) uses a cone-shaped X-ray beam and is particularly useful for detailed imaging of teeth, jawbones, and the bony structures of the jaw joints. It provides less soft-tissue detail than medical CT.

Dental CBCT generally involves less radiation than conventional medical CT, although the dose depends on the equipment, scan area, and imaging settings.