Smile Craft Dental offers 3D cone beam imaging for patients in Redwood City, providing detailed, high-resolution views of the teeth, jaw, and surrounding structures to support accurate treatment planning.
Request an Appointment
"*" indicates required fields
Same-week appointments available
A 3D cone beam machine resembles conventional CT scan machines and comes in two structures: an upright chair or a moveable table. The chair has an extendable arm (C-arm) while the table has a rotator (gantry) that both rotate 360 degrees around the patient’s head, taking multiple images at once. In a single rotation, the detector can generate 150 to 200 high-resolution 2D images, digitally combined to form a 3D image providing valuable information about oral and craniofacial health. The 3D image is available as soon as the scan is complete, allowing the doctor to discuss the treatment plan in the same visit.
A single rotation generates up to 200 high-resolution images, compiled into one detailed 3D scan in moments.
A 3D scan may be recommended if any of the following apply to you:
Not sure if a 3D scan is right for you? Our team can review your case and recommend the best imaging option.
A traditional CT scan takes several pictures of internal body structures from multiple X-ray images, using radiation from a radioactive contrast injected into the body. Cone beam scanners use a cone-shaped beam radiating from an X-ray source, covering a wide range with just a single rotation, compiled using algorithms into high-resolution 3D images. Cone beams emit 200-300 times less radiation than traditional CT scans.
Here's exactly what happens during a cone beam 3D scan appointment at Smile Craft Dental.
You'll be seated in an upright chair or positioned at a moveable table as the scanner is set up around your head.
The scanner's arm or gantry rotates 360 degrees around your head, capturing 150 to 200 high-resolution 2D images in a single rotation.
The 2D images are digitally combined into a single high-resolution 3D image of your oral and craniofacial structures.
Your 3D image is available as soon as the scan is complete, giving your dentist immediate access to detailed diagnostic information.
Your doctor reviews the 3D images with you and discusses your treatment plan in the same visit.
Coverage for 3D cone beam scans is increasingly common but varies by insurance provider. Smile Craft Dental also accepts financing options to help make 3D imaging affordable. Contact our Redwood City office to learn more about your coverage and payment options.
Cone beam CT scanners reveal far more information than traditional scanners, providing detailed images of underlying bone structure. They’re used for cases where traditional X-rays wouldn’t provide sufficient information, evaluating diseases of the jaw, dentition, face, nasal cavity, and sinuses. Cone beam technology is useful for diagnosing oral cancers, cysts, and managing impacted teeth.
150-200 Images — Captured in a single rotation. 200-300x Less Radiation — Compared to traditional CT scans. Same-Day Results — 3D images ready immediately after your scan.
The cone beam exam is quick, painless, and requires no special preparation.
The cone beam scan is painless and does not require anesthesia, allowing patients to resume normal activity right after. Claustrophobic patients should inform the practitioner. After the exam, the dentist writes a report and discusses the treatment plan, showing the patient their 3D images.
Invisalign treatment at Smile Craft combines your general dentist's familiarity with your case and an orthodontist's specialty training.
Lead Dentist · Smile Craft Dental Redwood City
Dr. Amy leads Smile Craft Dental with a commitment to technology, continuing education, and patient-centered care. She works alongside an on-site orthodontist on every Invisalign case, ensuring your treatment plan is shaped by specialist-level expertise — while keeping you comfortable in a practice you already know. Her approach is straightforward: explain everything clearly, listen carefully, and never recommend a treatment that isn’t the right fit.
4.9 stars across 556 Google reviews. Here's what patients describe about their experience at Smile Craft.
The questions Redwood City patients ask most — answered plainly.
What kind of image does a cone beam scanner produce? A cone beam scanner images not just the mouth but the entire head, showing bone structure and jawline for more accurate treatment planning, especially near delicate areas.
How long have cone beams been used? Cone beam technology was invented in 1967, introduced in Europe in 1996 and in the U.S. in 2001. Today, about 72% of dentists use CBCT scanners.
How safe are CBCT scans? Cone beam scans emit 200-300 times less radiation than traditional CT imaging, though some radiation exposure still occurs. All dental X-rays involve some radiation, and CBCT emits the lowest amount.
Is there anything I should prepare for a CBCT exam? No special preparation is needed. Remove loose or metallic objects as you would for any X-ray exam. Patients with metal implants can still get a scan, and the dentist will ask you to stay still during the exam.
What is a 3D dental scan used for? Dentists use 3D cone beam scans to plan dental implant placement, evaluate impacted teeth like wisdom teeth, diagnose jaw or facial bone issues, and detect oral cysts or abnormal growths early.
Smile Craft Dental provides advanced 3D cone beam imaging for patients throughout Redwood City. Contact our office today to see if a 3D scan is right for you.
2531 El Camino Real · Redwood City, CA 94061
Serving San Carlos, Belmont, and the Peninsula