Key Takeaways
- A dental CBCT scan delivers a radiation dose of 30 to 200 microsieverts (μSv), which is 50 to 100 times less than a standard medical CT scan that delivers 2,000 microsieverts or more
- The radiation from a single CBCT scan is equivalent to approximately 1 to 3 days of natural background radiation, making it one of the lowest-dose 3D imaging techniques available
- CBCT is safe for children when clinically justified, as modern machines offer pediatric protocols that further reduce the dose by up to 40 percent
- CBCT scans are generally avoided during pregnancy as a precaution, but the radiation dose is directed at the head and is far below levels associated with any risk to the fetus
- DCDC in Dubai Healthcare City follows strict ALARA protocols, uses dose-optimized equipment, and has every scan supervised by a consultant radiologist to ensure the lowest effective dose
Patients who are told they need a CBCT scan often ask the same question: is CBCT safe? The concern is understandable. Any medical imaging that involves X-rays raises questions about radiation exposure, long-term risk, and whether the procedure is truly necessary. The short answer is that a CBCT scan is one of the safest advanced imaging technologies in modern dentistry. The CBCT radiation dose ranges from 30 to 200 microsieverts, which is roughly equivalent to 1 to 3 days of the natural background radiation every person absorbs from the environment. By comparison, a standard medical CT scan of the head delivers approximately 2,000 microsieverts, meaning that CBCT exposes the patient to 50 to 100 times less radiation.
This article provides a thorough, evidence-based explanation of CBCT radiation dose, compares it to other common imaging methods, addresses safety for children and pregnant patients, explains how often a CBCT scan can be repeated, and describes the safety protocols followed at Doctors Clinic Diagnostic Center (DCDC) in Dubai Healthcare City. Every claim in this article has been reviewed by Dr. Osama Elzamzami, Consultant Radiologist at DCDC.
How Much Radiation Does a CBCT Scan Emit?
The radiation dose from a CBCT scan depends on three primary factors: the field of view (the size of the area being scanned), the machine settings (kilovoltage and milliamperage), and the exposure time (how long the X-ray beam is active during the rotation). These variables mean that not all CBCT scans deliver the same dose, and a well-trained radiographer can adjust the parameters to deliver the minimum dose needed for a diagnostically adequate image.
A small field of view CBCT scan, which captures only a few teeth and the surrounding bone (typically 5 x 5 cm or 4 x 4 cm), delivers approximately 30 to 80 microsieverts (μSv). This is the type of scan used for single implant planning, endodontic evaluation of a specific tooth, or assessment of a localized area of pathology. A medium field of view scan covering one complete jaw delivers approximately 50 to 150 μSv, while a large field of view scan capturing both jaws and the entire facial skeleton delivers approximately 100 to 200 μSv.
To contextualize these numbers, every person on Earth receives natural background radiation from cosmic rays, radioactive elements in soil and rock, and radon gas in the atmosphere. In the UAE, the average annual background radiation dose is approximately 2,400 μSv per year, which translates to roughly 6.6 μSv per day. A CBCT scan delivering 50 μSv therefore represents about 7 to 8 days of natural background radiation, while a low-dose small field scan at 30 μSv represents fewer than 5 days. These are extremely small incremental exposures.
"The radiation from a typical dental CBCT scan is so low that it is biologically comparable to the natural radiation you absorb during a short domestic flight or a few days of simply living on Earth," explains Dr. Osama Elzamzami, Consultant Radiologist at DCDC. "When a CBCT is clinically indicated, the diagnostic benefit overwhelmingly outweighs this minimal exposure."
CBCT Radiation vs Other Dental X-Rays
Understanding how CBCT radiation compares to other forms of dental imaging helps patients put the dose into proper perspective. Every dental imaging modality involves some degree of radiation exposure, from the lowest-dose intraoral X-ray to a full-field CBCT scan. The table below provides a direct comparison of the effective radiation doses for the most common dental and medical imaging examinations.
| Imaging Type | Effective Dose (μSv) | Equivalent Background Radiation | Relative to CBCT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single periapical X-ray | 5 | ~1 day | ~10x lower |
| Bitewing X-rays (4 films) | 20 | ~3 days | ~5x lower |
| Panoramic X-ray (OPG) | 10–20 | ~2–3 days | ~5–10x lower |
| CBCT scan (small FOV) | 30–80 | ~5–12 days | Baseline (small) |
| CBCT scan (medium FOV) | 50–150 | ~8–23 days | Baseline (medium) |
| CBCT scan (large FOV) | 100–200 | ~15–30 days | Baseline (large) |
| Chest X-ray | 20 | ~3 days | ~5x lower |
| Medical CT scan (head) | 2,000 | ~10 months | ~10–60x higher |
| Medical CT scan (abdomen) | 8,000–10,000 | ~3–4 years | ~50–300x higher |
| Annual background radiation (UAE) | 2,400 / year | 365 days | Reference |
Radiation dose comparison across dental and medical imaging modalities. CBCT sits between conventional dental X-rays and medical CT in terms of dose, but far closer to dental X-rays.
As the table illustrates, a CBCT scan delivers more radiation than a single periapical X-ray or panoramic X-ray, but the increase is modest when measured against the diagnostic value gained. A periapical X-ray produces a flat, two-dimensional image of a few teeth with no depth information. A panoramic X-ray provides a broad overview of both jaws but with significant distortion and overlapping structures. A CBCT scan, by contrast, delivers a complete three-dimensional dataset with sub-millimeter resolution, cross-sectional views, and the ability to measure bone dimensions precisely. For clinical decisions like implant placement, surgical extraction, and orthodontic planning, this 3D information is not merely helpful; it is often essential for safe treatment.
It is also worth noting that a full-mouth series of periapical X-rays (typically 18 to 20 films) delivers a combined dose of approximately 90 to 100 μSv, which overlaps with the dose range of a medium-field CBCT scan. In cases where a full-mouth series and a panoramic X-ray would both be needed, a single CBCT scan can replace both while providing superior diagnostic information at a comparable total dose.
CBCT vs Medical CT Scan Radiation
The comparison between CBCT and medical CT radiation is where the safety advantage of cone beam technology becomes most striking. A standard medical CT scanner uses a fan-shaped X-ray beam and acquires data through multiple continuous rotations with high tube current, which is necessary for the soft tissue contrast resolution required in body imaging. A CBCT scanner uses a cone-shaped beam, completes the scan in a single partial or full rotation, and operates at significantly lower power settings because dental imaging primarily requires high contrast between bone and air, not the subtle soft tissue differentiation that medical CT provides.
The result is a dramatic difference in radiation dose. A medical CT scan of the head delivers approximately 2,000 μSv, while a dental CBCT scan of the same anatomical region delivers 30 to 200 μSv. This means that a patient would need to undergo 10 to 60 CBCT scans to accumulate the same radiation dose as a single medical CT scan of the head. For abdominal CT scans, which deliver 8,000 to 10,000 μSv, the difference is even greater: a patient would need 50 to 300 CBCT scans to match a single abdominal CT.
This enormous dose reduction is possible because CBCT technology was purpose-built for the dental and maxillofacial region, where the clinical questions revolve around hard tissue structures such as teeth, bone, and calcified pathology. Medical CT excels at imaging soft tissues throughout the body, including the brain, organs, and blood vessels, which requires higher radiation to achieve the necessary tissue contrast. When a patient needs detailed imaging of the jaw, teeth, or facial skeleton, CBCT delivers the diagnostic information at a fraction of the dose that a medical CT would require.
"I always explain to patients that CBCT was specifically engineered to image bone and teeth with the lowest possible radiation," says Dr. Osama Elzamzami. "It is not a scaled-down version of a hospital CT scanner; it is a fundamentally different technology designed from the ground up for dental and maxillofacial use, and that is why the dose is so much lower."
Is CBCT Safe for Children?
CBCT is safe for children when the scan is clinically justified and performed using appropriate pediatric protocols. Children are more radiosensitive than adults because their tissues are still growing and their cells are dividing more rapidly, which means that any radiation exposure carries a marginally higher theoretical risk per unit dose compared to the same dose in an adult. This does not mean that CBCT should never be used in children; it means that the decision to scan must follow the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) and that every scan in a pediatric patient must have a clear clinical indication.
The most common indications for CBCT in children and adolescents include the assessment of impacted canines (to determine the exact position and plan surgical or orthodontic management), the evaluation of supernumerary teeth (extra teeth that may block normal eruption), the diagnosis of dentigerous cysts or other developmental pathology, and complex orthodontic treatment planning where three-dimensional root position data is essential. In each of these scenarios, the 3D information provided by CBCT directly changes the treatment plan in a way that improves outcomes and reduces surgical risk.
Modern CBCT machines offer dedicated pediatric dose reduction protocols that lower the tube current (milliamperage) and voltage (kilovoltage) settings to match the smaller body size of a child. These protocols can reduce the effective dose by 30 to 40 percent compared to adult settings. Additionally, using the smallest possible field of view that covers the area of clinical interest further minimizes exposure. A small field of view CBCT in a child using pediatric settings may deliver as little as 15 to 40 μSv, which is comparable to two or three standard dental X-rays.
The European Academy of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology (EADMFR) and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (AAOMR) both recommend that CBCT in pediatric patients should be performed only when conventional radiography (periapical or panoramic X-rays) does not provide sufficient information for diagnosis or treatment planning. When this threshold is met, CBCT is a safe and valuable tool that can significantly improve clinical outcomes for children.
Concerned About CBCT Radiation? Ask Our Radiologist
At DCDC in Dubai Healthcare City, our consultant radiologist is available to answer your questions about CBCT scan safety, radiation dose, and whether a CBCT is the right imaging choice for you or your child. We use dose-optimized protocols and the smallest field of view necessary for your clinical need.
CBCT Safety During Pregnancy
CBCT scans are generally avoided during pregnancy as a standard precaution, consistent with the medical principle of minimizing all non-essential radiation exposure to the developing fetus. This recommendation is based on the precautionary principle rather than on evidence of actual harm at the dose levels involved in dental CBCT imaging.
The radiation dose from a dental CBCT scan is directed at the head and jaw, far from the abdomen and pelvis where the fetus is located. The scattered radiation that reaches the abdominal region from a dental CBCT is negligible, measured in fractions of a microsievert. Research published in the journal Radiation Protection Dosimetry has confirmed that the fetal dose from a dental CBCT scan is less than 0.01 μSv, which is thousands of times below the threshold dose of 100,000 μSv (100 mSv) at which any measurable risk to the fetus has been observed in scientific studies.
Despite this extremely low risk, the standard clinical practice is to postpone elective CBCT scans until after delivery. If, however, a genuine dental emergency arises during pregnancy (such as a severe infection requiring urgent surgical planning or a traumatic jaw injury), the treating dentist and radiologist will weigh the clinical urgency against the minimal radiation risk. In such cases, a CBCT scan may be performed with additional protective measures, including the use of a lead apron to shield the abdomen. The key principle is that the decision is always made on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing both the health of the mother and the safety of the fetus.
"The radiation that reaches the fetus from a dental CBCT scan is so low that it is essentially immeasurable," notes Dr. Osama Elzamzami. "We still avoid scanning during pregnancy out of an abundance of caution, but patients should know that if an emergency arises that requires a CBCT, the actual risk to the baby is negligible."
How Often Can You Have a CBCT Scan?
There is no fixed limit on how many CBCT scans a patient can have, but every scan must be clinically justified. The guiding principle in radiology is ALARA: As Low As Reasonably Achievable. This means that a CBCT scan should only be performed when the expected diagnostic benefit outweighs the radiation cost, and when the clinical question cannot be adequately answered by lower-dose imaging methods such as periapical or panoramic X-rays.
In practice, most dental patients will need a CBCT scan once or twice over the course of a specific treatment episode. For example, a patient undergoing dental implant treatment may have one CBCT scan during the planning phase to assess bone volume and anatomy, and a second scan after bone grafting or sinus lift surgery to confirm that the site is ready for implant placement. An orthodontic patient may have a single CBCT at the start of treatment for comprehensive planning purposes.
Even in cases where multiple CBCT scans are needed over a period of months or years, the cumulative dose remains well within safe limits. Consider that the annual background radiation in the UAE is approximately 2,400 μSv. A patient who undergoes three medium-field CBCT scans in a year (approximately 300 to 450 μSv total) has increased their annual radiation exposure by only 12 to 19 percent above the background level. For comparison, a single round-trip flight between Dubai and London adds approximately 60 to 80 μSv of cosmic radiation exposure, and a single medical CT scan of the head adds 2,000 μSv.
The critical safeguard is not a numerical cap on scans but rather the clinical justification process. At DCDC, every CBCT scan request is reviewed to confirm that the imaging is appropriate for the patient's clinical situation. The radiographer selects the smallest field of view and lowest dose settings that will produce a diagnostically adequate image, and the consultant radiologist ensures that the scan answers the referring clinician's specific question.
Patient Story: Overcoming Radiation Anxiety
A 32-year-old patient referred to DCDC for a CBCT scan before wisdom tooth surgery initially refused the procedure because she was concerned about radiation exposure. She had read conflicting information online and was worried about the long-term effects. Before proceeding, Dr. Osama Elzamzami personally explained the radiation dose in practical terms: the scan would expose her to the equivalent of about two to three days of natural background radiation, less than the cosmic radiation she would absorb on a single flight to Europe.
"Once patients understand the actual numbers, the anxiety almost always disappears," says Dr. Elzamzami. "I showed her that the dose from her CBCT scan would be about 50 microsieverts, compared to the 2,400 microsieverts she absorbs every year just from living on Earth. She understood immediately that this was a negligible addition to her lifetime exposure, and the scan went ahead. The 3D images revealed that her wisdom tooth root was wrapped around the nerve canal, information that was invisible on the standard X-ray and that fundamentally changed the surgical approach her dentist used."
DCDC's CBCT Safety Protocols
At Doctors Clinic Diagnostic Center (DCDC) in Dubai Healthcare City, patient safety is the foundation of every imaging examination. The center follows a comprehensive set of CBCT safety protocols that ensure every patient receives the precise diagnostic imaging their clinician needs at the lowest possible radiation dose. These protocols are aligned with international guidelines from the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), the European Academy of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology (EADMFR), and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
- Clinical justification review: Every CBCT scan request is assessed to confirm that 3D imaging is necessary and that the clinical question cannot be answered by lower-dose conventional X-rays. Scans that do not meet this threshold are not performed.
- Optimized dose settings: Radiographers use the lowest kilovoltage (kV) and milliamperage (mA) settings that produce diagnostically acceptable images, rather than default maximum settings. Pediatric patients receive dedicated reduced-dose protocols.
- Smallest field of view: The scan is limited to the smallest area that covers the clinical region of interest. A patient needing assessment of a single implant site receives a small-field scan, not a full-jaw scan, reducing radiation by up to 60 percent.
- Modern dose-efficient equipment: DCDC uses a current-generation CBCT system with flat-panel detector technology that delivers superior image quality at lower doses compared to older image-intensifier-based machines.
- Lead thyroid collar: A lead collar is placed over the patient's thyroid gland during every CBCT scan to shield this radiation-sensitive organ from scattered X-rays.
- Pregnancy screening: All female patients of childbearing age are asked about the possibility of pregnancy before any X-ray examination, in accordance with DHA and ICRP guidelines.
- Consultant radiologist oversight: Every CBCT scan is reviewed and reported by a consultant radiologist with expertise in dental and maxillofacial imaging, ensuring that the clinical question is answered accurately and that incidental findings are identified and communicated.
These layered safety measures reflect DCDC's commitment to the ALARA principle and to evidence-based imaging practice. With over 13 years of operation and more than 1,000 diagnostic scans performed every month, DCDC has developed robust quality assurance processes that protect patients while delivering the high-resolution 3D imaging that modern dentistry demands.
Book a Safe, Low-Dose CBCT Scan at DCDC
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Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
A CBCT scan is one of the safest advanced imaging technologies available in modern dentistry. With a radiation dose of 30 to 200 microsieverts, equivalent to just 1 to 3 days of natural background radiation, CBCT delivers 50 to 100 times less radiation than a standard medical CT scan. The technology is safe for children when used with pediatric protocols, and the fetal dose during a dental CBCT is negligible. There is no fixed limit on how many CBCT scans a patient can have, provided each scan is clinically justified and performed with dose-optimized settings.
At Doctors Clinic Diagnostic Center in Dubai Healthcare City, every CBCT scan follows strict ALARA protocols with clinical justification review, smallest possible field of view, optimized dose settings, thyroid shielding, and consultant radiologist oversight. If your dentist has recommended a CBCT scan and you have concerns about radiation safety, you can speak directly with our radiology team for a transparent, evidence-based explanation of the dose involved. For more information about the CBCT procedure itself, read our comprehensive guide on what is a CBCT scan.
Sources & References
This article was reviewed by our medical team and references the following sources:
- International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 103 — The 2007 Recommendations of the ICRP
- European Academy of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology (EADMFR) — Basic Principles for Use of Dental Cone Beam CT
- Ludlow JB, Timothy R, Walker C, et al. — Effective dose of dental CBCT: a meta-analysis. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, 2015; 44(1): 20140197
- American Dental Association — Dental Radiographic Examinations: Recommendations for Patient Selection and Limiting Radiation Exposure
- RadiologyInfo.org — Cone Beam CT (CBCT)
Medical content on this site is reviewed by DHA-licensed physicians. See our editorial policy for more information.
Written by
Dr. Osama Elzamzami
Diagnostic Radiology
MD, FRCR
Dr. Osama Elzamzami is a Consultant Radiologist specializing in diagnostic imaging including CBCT, CT, MRI, and ultrasound at DCDC Dubai Healthcare City. He holds an MD and FRCR (Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists) and has extensive experience in dental and maxillofacial imaging.