Serving Patients in Bethesda, Rockville, and Vienna
If you’ve been told you need a dental implant, full-mouth restoration, or complex root canal retreatment, you may be asking, “Is a CBCT scan really necessary?” The answer is a confident yes.
At our specialty practices in Prosthodontics and Endodontics, we use Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) because it’s the standard of care for complex, high-precision treatment.
Whether we’re rebuilding your smile or saving a tooth that others might extract, CBCT gives us the detail we need to get it right the first time.
At our specialty practices in Prosthodontics and Endodontics, we use Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) because it’s the standard of care for complex, high-precision treatment.
Whether we’re rebuilding your smile or saving a tooth that others might extract, CBCT gives us the detail we need to get it right the first time.
Quick Takeaways
- Cone Beam Computed Tomography spots what X-rays miss
- Protect your nerves
- Prevent implant failure
- Fix failed root canals
- Fast, safe, and in-house—get answers in one visit!
See More. Know More. Do Better: What Is CBCT Imaging?
CBCT—short for Cone Beam Computed Tomography—is a game-changer in modern dental diagnostics. Unlike traditional 2D X-rays, CBCT gives us a full 360-degree, 3D view of your teeth, jawbone, and surrounding structures in stunning detail.
Why does that matter for you? Because it lets us diagnose with precision, plan treatments with total confidence, and avoid surprises along the way. It’s the difference between estimating and knowing.
CBCT captures everything from root canals and bone density to sinus anatomy and nerve pathways—things that standard X-rays can easily miss.
Whether we're prepping for an implant or tracking down a hidden canal, this technology gives us the clarity we need to deliver the best possible care.
It's not just about seeing more—it's about making every decision with accuracy, clarity, and your long-term health in mind.
Want the most advanced diagnostics available? Book your CBCT scan today at our Bethesda, Rockville, or Vienna locat
It's not just about seeing more—it's about making every decision with accuracy, clarity, and your long-term health in mind.
Want the most advanced diagnostics available? Book your CBCT scan today at our Bethesda, Rockville, or Vienna locat
Why Skipping CBCT Can Put You at Risk
In prosthodontics and endodontics, treatment success relies heavily on information we can trust. Without CBCT, vital details can be missed—details that impact surgical outcomes, long-term stability, and overall oral health. Skipping this scan increases the likelihood of nerve injuries, failed implants, missed canals, and prosthetics that are built on an unstable foundation.
CBCT gives us the ability to detect underlying issues before they cause bigger problems. It helps us customize implant placements, guide retreatments of complex root canals, and accurately assess the condition of bone and surrounding structures. In high-precision dental work, seeing everything is the only way to treat effectively and safely.
Don’t take chances on complex treatment. Trust your care to specialists who use the most advanced tools to protect your results.
CBCT gives us the ability to detect underlying issues before they cause bigger problems. It helps us customize implant placements, guide retreatments of complex root canals, and accurately assess the condition of bone and surrounding structures. In high-precision dental work, seeing everything is the only way to treat effectively and safely.
Don’t take chances on complex treatment. Trust your care to specialists who use the most advanced tools to protect your results.
Risking Nerve Injury During Implant Placement
One of the most critical risks in implant dentistry is injury to the inferior alveolar nerve, which runs through the lower jaw. If an implant is placed too close to this nerve, patients may experience numbness in the lip or chin, persistent tingling, or even permanent sensory damage. Unfortunately, standard X-rays often don’t show this nerve clearly, making precise placement extremely difficult.
CBCT imaging allows us to map the nerve in full 3D, identify its exact location and trajectory, and measure the distance to the proposed implant site with sub-millimeter precision. That kind of planning gives us total control over implant positioning—ensuring a safe, stable, and comfortable result for the patient. It’s how we avoid complications and provide outcomes you can trust.
Thinking about dental implants? Get started safely with a CBCT-guided consultation in Rockville, Bethesda, or Vienna.
CBCT imaging allows us to map the nerve in full 3D, identify its exact location and trajectory, and measure the distance to the proposed implant site with sub-millimeter precision. That kind of planning gives us total control over implant positioning—ensuring a safe, stable, and comfortable result for the patient. It’s how we avoid complications and provide outcomes you can trust.
Thinking about dental implants? Get started safely with a CBCT-guided consultation in Rockville, Bethesda, or Vienna.
Missed Canals = Failed Root Canals
Root canal failure is often caused by a simple but serious issue: a missed canal. Many teeth, especially molars, have multiple canals—some curved, calcified, or hidden—making them extremely difficult to see on a 2D X-ray. When these canals are not treated fully, infections can persist, causing continued pain or eventual tooth loss.
With CBCT, we can rotate, zoom, and study the tooth in three dimensions. This allows us to locate every canal, diagnose internal root resorption, identify vertical fractures, and spot other hidden issues that would go unnoticed with traditional imaging. Whether you're coming to us for an initial root canal or a retreatment of a previous failure, CBCT helps us treat with precision and completeness.
Had a failed root canal elsewhere? Let us re-diagnose with CBCT and create a treatment plan that actually works.
With CBCT, we can rotate, zoom, and study the tooth in three dimensions. This allows us to locate every canal, diagnose internal root resorption, identify vertical fractures, and spot other hidden issues that would go unnoticed with traditional imaging. Whether you're coming to us for an initial root canal or a retreatment of a previous failure, CBCT helps us treat with precision and completeness.
Had a failed root canal elsewhere? Let us re-diagnose with CBCT and create a treatment plan that actually works.
Implants That Fail from Hidden Bone Loss
Even the most carefully placed implant can fail if it’s placed in weak or insufficient bone. Standard X-rays can make the bone appear adequate, but they can’t show depth or density accurately. As a result, implants may be placed in compromised areas, leading to looseness, discomfort, or the need for corrective surgery.
CBCT changes that entirely. It shows us the exact width, height, and density of your jawbone. We can determine if the area is strong enough to support an implant or if you’ll need a bone graft beforehand. Knowing this upfront helps us avoid surprises during surgery and ensures your implant and final prosthetic are placed for maximum long-term success.
Building a lasting smile starts with strong bone. Book your CBCT scan today and let’s see exactly what we’re working with.
CBCT changes that entirely. It shows us the exact width, height, and density of your jawbone. We can determine if the area is strong enough to support an implant or if you’ll need a bone graft beforehand. Knowing this upfront helps us avoid surprises during surgery and ensures your implant and final prosthetic are placed for maximum long-term success.
Building a lasting smile starts with strong bone. Book your CBCT scan today and let’s see exactly what we’re working with.
What If My Insurance Doesn’t Cover CBCT?
Although CBCT is now widely regarded as standard of care in prosthodontic and endodontic treatment, many insurance plans still don’t cover it. But that doesn’t mean it’s optional. In fact, choosing to skip a CBCT scan to save money today often leads to more expensive complications tomorrow—like failed implants, repeat procedures, or surgical revisions.
At our practice, we base your care on what’s best for your health and outcome, not what’s easiest for your insurance plan. We also offer flexible options to make sure that the scan is accessible and affordable. Getting it right the first time is almost always more cost-effective than trying to fix mistakes later.
We offer flexible options to help make CBCT accessible. Ask us during your consultation in Bethesda, Rockville, or Vienna.
At our practice, we base your care on what’s best for your health and outcome, not what’s easiest for your insurance plan. We also offer flexible options to make sure that the scan is accessible and affordable. Getting it right the first time is almost always more cost-effective than trying to fix mistakes later.
We offer flexible options to help make CBCT accessible. Ask us during your consultation in Bethesda, Rockville, or Vienna.
Real Patient Case: Vienna, VA
A patient recently came into our Vienna office with pain in a tooth that had undergone a root canal treatment at another practice. The X-ray showed nothing conclusive, but the symptoms didn’t match.
With CBCT, the full picture became clear. We found a hidden canal that had never been treated, and extensive root resorption that made the tooth non-restorable.
Thanks to the detailed CBCT image, we avoided a futile retreatment and were able to offer a proper diagnosis and a new plan.
This patient got an accurate answer, timely treatment, and peace of mind—because the technology helped us see what conventional X-rays couldn’t.
Not sure what’s really going on with your tooth? Schedule a CBCT evaluation and get the clear answers you’ve been missing.
Not sure what’s really going on with your tooth? Schedule a CBCT evaluation and get the clear answers you’ve been missing.
How CBCT Supports Conservative, Minimally Invasive Dentistry
Conservative dentistry is about doing exactly what’s needed—no more, no less. Whether we’re preserving a tooth through endodontic treatment or rebuilding a smile with prosthodontic implants, our goal is to be as minimally invasive as possible. CBCT supports that by giving us a roadmap for efficient, targeted treatment.
In root canals, it allows us to access canals directly without removing unnecessary tooth structure. In implant procedures, we can plan the exact location and angle of placement to avoid bone removal or large incisions. That means quicker procedures, faster healing, less discomfort, and a better overall experience for you.
Smarter imaging = more conservative care. Let us show you what minimally invasive treatment really looks like.
In root canals, it allows us to access canals directly without removing unnecessary tooth structure. In implant procedures, we can plan the exact location and angle of placement to avoid bone removal or large incisions. That means quicker procedures, faster healing, less discomfort, and a better overall experience for you.
Smarter imaging = more conservative care. Let us show you what minimally invasive treatment really looks like.
Available In-House at All Our Locations
We know convenience is important. That’s why we provide CBCT imaging in-house at all of our locations—Bethesda, Rockville, and Vienna. You don’t need to travel to an imaging center or wait weeks for results. The scan takes under 30 seconds, and we review it with you during the same appointment.
This means you leave your visit with real answers, a clear plan, and a treatment strategy that’s informed by data—not guesswork. We believe every patient deserves this level of care and clarity.
Call us now or book online to reserve your appointment at the location closest to you.
This means you leave your visit with real answers, a clear plan, and a treatment strategy that’s informed by data—not guesswork. We believe every patient deserves this level of care and clarity.
Call us now or book online to reserve your appointment at the location closest to you.
Rave Reviews From Our Patients
“Dr. Shin is an amazing prosthodontist. Strongly recommend to get your restorative dental treatment here. You can get a perfect smile with him. Bryana is an amazing she's great at helping me manage the treatment plan.”
– Jung Min Oh
“Everyone at Prostho is amazing and super friendly. Karla and Brianna at the front desk are so warm & welcoming. My daughter received a root canal from Dr. Kim with Sherry's assistance. Both ladies made this experience a great one. I highly recommend Prostho for anybody in need of a root canal or other specializations!”
– Teauna Cheri
Is CBCT Safe?
Yes—CBCT is extremely safe. It uses a very low dose of focused radiation, far less than the amount from a traditional full-mouth series of dental X-rays. And because the beam is targeted to a specific area, there’s minimal exposure to surrounding tissues.
The scan itself is fast and completely painless. You’ll sit comfortably while the machine rotates around your head for 10 to 30 seconds. That’s all it takes to gather detailed images that guide your treatment with unmatched accuracy.
Safe. Quick. Precise. Get scanned and get answers—safely—at one of our offices today.
The scan itself is fast and completely painless. You’ll sit comfortably while the machine rotates around your head for 10 to 30 seconds. That’s all it takes to gather detailed images that guide your treatment with unmatched accuracy.
Safe. Quick. Precise. Get scanned and get answers—safely—at one of our offices today.
Other FAQs Regarding CBCT
Why do I need a CBCT scan instead of a regular X-ray?
Will my insurance cover the CBCT scan?
Schedule Your CBCT-Guided Appointment Today
If you’re considering a dental implant, full-mouth rehabilitation, or root canal retreatment, a CBCT scan is the critical first step. At our practices in Bethesda, Rockville, and Vienna, we provide in-house CBCT imaging, same-day diagnostics, and treatment planning backed by unmatched detail.
Why leave your care to chance when you can leave it to data?
Why leave your care to chance when you can leave it to data?
