Advanced Digital Dentistry in Brighton& Hove
At Regency House Dental Practice, we believe that exceptional dental care starts with seeing the bigger picture. To give you the most accurate diagnoses and predictable treatment outcomes, we invest in state-of-the-art digital imaging.Two of the most powerful tools we use are OPG and CBCT scans. If we’ve recommended one for you, here is a straightforward guide to what they are and how they help us look after your smile.
What is an OPG scan and why do I need one?
An OPG (Orthopantomagram) is a panoramic photograph of your entire mouth. While standard dental X-rays look at just one or two teeth at a time, an OPG captures your upper and lower jaws, all of your teeth, and your jaw joints in a single, wide-spanning image. It provides us with a perfect “birds-eye view” to check the development of wisdom teeth, assess the health of your jawbone, and plan orthodontic treatments.
What is a CBCT scan and how is it different?
While an OPG gives us a fantastic 2D flat image, a CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scan takes things into the third dimension. It is essentially a medical CT scan adapted for dentistry, providing us with a highly detailed, 3D digital model of your teeth, bone, nerves, and surrounding tissues. This level of detail removes the guesswork entirely when we are mapping out dental implants or navigating safely around vital nerves during oral surgery.
What should I expect during my scanning appointment?
The process is quick, painless, and takes less than a minute. You will stand or sit comfortably while the open imaging arm rotates around you. Because the machine is completely open, it never feels enclosed or claustrophobic, and the high-resolution images are available on our screens instantly.
Are digital dental scans safe?
Absolutely. Our advanced digital equipment is designed with ultra-low dose technology. This means it uses only a tiny fraction of the radiation associated with traditional medical CT scanners or older dental X-ray machines.
Is any advanced preparation needed?
No special preparation is required at all — you can eat, drink, and take routine medications as normal before your visit. We will simply ask you to quickly remove any jewellery, glasses, or hairpins from the neck up before the scan begins, as metal can affect the digital image.
What is the financial investment for these scans?
Transparency in our fees is incredibly important to us. An OPG panoramic scan is £80, and a detailed 3D CBCT scan is £150. If a scan is required as part of your diagnostics or treatment planning, the dentist will always discuss this with you beforehand.
