How to Prepare for a CBCT Scan: Before Your Appointment

If your dentist has referred you for a CBCT scan (Cone Beam Computed Tomography), you may be wondering what you need to do to get ready. The good news is that CBCT scan preparation is remarkably straightforward. Unlike many medical imaging procedures that require fasting, contrast dye injections, or lengthy pre-scan protocols, a CBCT scan requires almost no advance preparation at all. The scan itself is fast, painless, and non-invasive, and most patients describe the experience as easier than a routine dental check-up.

This guide covers everything you need to know before your CBCT appointment, including what to remove, what to wear, whether you can eat and drink, special considerations for pregnant women, what to tell your dentist, and a complete checklist you can follow on the day of your scan. By the end, you will walk into your appointment with complete confidence.

Do You Need to Prepare for a CBCT Scan?

The short answer is: barely. A CBCT scan is one of the simplest diagnostic imaging procedures available in modern dentistry. There is no fasting requirement, no blood work, no contrast dye, no sedation, and no recovery period. You do not need to arrange for someone to drive you home, and you can return to work, school, or any other activity immediately after the scan. The entire process, from walking into the imaging center to walking out, typically takes 10 to 15 minutes.

"Patients are often surprised by how little preparation is involved," says Dr. Osama Elzamzami, Head of Radiology at DCDC. "We frequently see people arrive expecting a complicated procedure, but the reality is that a CBCT scan is faster and easier than most dental appointments. The single most important thing a patient can do is remove metal objects from the head and neck area before the scan."

The reason preparation is so minimal is that CBCT technology was specifically designed for outpatient dental and maxillofacial imaging. Unlike a medical CT scan of the abdomen or chest, which may require oral or intravenous contrast agents to distinguish soft tissue structures, a CBCT scan focuses on high-contrast hard tissues — teeth, bone, and mineralized structures — that are naturally visible on X-ray without any enhancement. The scan also uses no enclosed tunnel (unlike MRI), so there is no need for anxiety medication or claustrophobia management for the vast majority of patients.

That said, there are a few practical steps that will ensure your scan goes smoothly and produces the highest quality images. The sections below cover each of these steps in detail.

What to Remove Before a CBCT Scan

The most important preparation step for a CBCT scan is removing all metal objects from the head and neck area before you enter the scanning room. Metal creates bright white streaks and dark shadows on the 3D images — these are called artifacts — that can obscure the very structures your dentist needs to see. Even a small earring or a metal hairpin can degrade image quality enough to affect the diagnostic accuracy of the scan.

The following table lists the items you should remove before your CBCT scan and explains why each one matters:

It is worth noting that fixed metal dental work — such as crowns, bridges, implants, and fixed orthodontic braces — does not need to be removed and cannot be removed for the scan. Your radiologist is trained to read images that include fixed dental restorations, and modern CBCT machines have metal artifact reduction (MAR) algorithms that minimize the impact of fixed metalwork on image quality. However, anything that is removable should be taken out.

"We always double-check before the scan and ask patients to remove anything metallic from the head and neck," says Dr. Osama Elzamzami, Head of Radiology at DCDC. "It takes just a moment and makes a significant difference to image quality. We provide a secure place to store your belongings during the scan."

Can You Eat and Drink Before CBCT?

Yes, you can eat and drink normally before a CBCT scan. There is absolutely no fasting requirement. Unlike abdominal CT scans or certain blood tests that require an empty stomach, a CBCT scan images the teeth, jaws, and facial bones — areas completely unaffected by what you have eaten or drunk. The scan also does not use oral or intravenous contrast dye, which is the primary reason many other imaging procedures require patients to fast.

You should also continue taking your regular medications as prescribed. There are no medications that interfere with a CBCT scan, and you do not need to stop any blood thinners, heart medications, blood pressure pills, or any other prescriptions before the procedure. If you take medication that must be taken with food, have your meal as usual.

In fact, eating a normal meal before your appointment is encouraged. Patients who arrive hungry or dehydrated may feel lightheaded from standing still during the scan, particularly if they tend to experience low blood sugar or postural dizziness. A light meal or snack and a glass of water an hour or two before your appointment will help you feel comfortable and steady during the 20 to 40 seconds you need to remain still.

The one small exception involves patients who are having a CBCT scan immediately before or after a dental procedure that does require fasting (such as sedation for a wisdom tooth extraction on the same day). In that scenario, the fasting relates to the surgical procedure and the sedation, not to the CBCT scan itself. Your dentist or oral surgeon will give you specific instructions if this applies to you.

What to Wear to Your CBCT Appointment

There is no special dress code for a CBCT scan, and you do not need to change into a hospital gown. You can wear your normal, everyday clothing. However, there are a few practical clothing tips that will make the process quicker and more comfortable:

• Avoid clothing with metal near the head and neck: Jackets, hoodies, and shirts with metal zippers, snaps, or buttons at the neckline may need to be removed or adjusted. If you wear a plain T-shirt or blouse without metal closures, you can go straight to the scanner without any clothing changes.
• Skip heavy or elaborate jewelry: If you know you have a CBCT appointment, consider leaving necklaces, earrings, and facial piercings at home so you do not need to remove and keep track of them at the imaging center.
• Wear a simple hijab or headscarf if applicable: Fabric head coverings without metal pins or clips can remain in place during the scan. If your headscarf is secured with metal pins, you will be asked to re-pin it with non-metal alternatives or remove the pins. Some patients bring a stretchy fabric headband or bonnet cap as an alternative for the few minutes of the scan.
• Hair accessories: Remove metal hair ties, clips, bobby pins, and headbands before the scan. A simple fabric scrunchie or elastic hair tie is fine.

The key principle is simple: avoid metal in the scan zone. Everything else — your shirt, trousers, shoes, belt, watch — does not affect the scan because the imaging field is focused on the head and jaw, not the rest of the body.

Preparation for Pregnant Women

If you are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant, inform your dentist and the radiology team before the CBCT scan is scheduled. This is the single most important piece of information to communicate, as it directly affects whether the scan should proceed.

A CBCT scan uses ionizing radiation (X-rays), and while the dose is very low — approximately 50 to 200 microsieverts, which is far less than a standard medical CT — the general medical principle is to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure during pregnancy whenever possible. The X-ray beam in a CBCT scan is directed at the head and jaw and does not directly expose the abdomen or the developing fetus. However, there is always a small amount of scatter radiation, and the standard practice is to err on the side of caution.

In most cases, a CBCT scan that is needed for routine dental treatment planning — such as implant assessment or orthodontic records — can simply be postponed until after delivery without any negative impact on the patient's dental health. The few months' delay does not change the clinical outcome, and it eliminates even the theoretical risk of radiation exposure during pregnancy.

However, if there is a genuine dental emergency during pregnancy — such as a severe infection, a suspected jaw fracture, or a condition that could worsen significantly if not diagnosed promptly — the treating dentist and radiologist will assess the situation together. In these rare cases, a CBCT scan may be performed with appropriate precautions, including a lead apron over the abdomen, because the clinical benefit of accurate diagnosis outweighs the extremely low radiation risk.

"We always ask patients about pregnancy before any X-ray procedure," says Dr. Osama Elzamzami, Head of Radiology at DCDC. "For CBCT, the radiation dose is very low and the beam is focused on the head, but our standard protocol is to postpone non-urgent scans during pregnancy. If a scan is clinically essential, we use additional shielding and the lowest possible dose settings."

What to Tell Your Dentist Before CBCT

Before your CBCT scan, there are several pieces of information you should share with your dentist or the radiology team. This information helps the radiographer select the correct scan settings and ensures the radiologist produces the most relevant and accurate report for your treatment plan.

• Pregnancy status: As discussed above, inform the team if you are pregnant, suspect you may be pregnant, or are currently breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is not a contraindication for CBCT (no contrast dye is used), but it is still good practice to mention it.
• The reason for the scan: Make sure your dentist has communicated the clinical indication to the imaging center. If you are self-referring, explain the symptoms or condition you are concerned about — for example, planned implants, wisdom tooth pain, or a suspected jaw issue. This helps the radiographer choose the correct field of view and scan protocol.
• Previous imaging: If you have had a CBCT scan, medical CT, or panoramic X-ray in the recent past, bring the images or let the radiology team know. In some cases, a previous scan may still be diagnostically adequate, and repeating the scan may be unnecessary.
• Fixed dental work: Inform the radiographer about any dental implants, metal crowns, bridges, or fixed orthodontic braces in your mouth. While these cannot be removed, knowing their location helps the radiologist interpret the images and apply artifact reduction techniques if available.
• Medical conditions: While there are very few medical conditions that affect a CBCT scan, it is good practice to mention any conditions that might affect your ability to stand still for 20 to 40 seconds, such as Parkinson's disease, severe tremor, vertigo, or balance disorders. In these cases, the radiographer can use additional head stabilization or select a machine configuration that accommodates a seated position.
• Claustrophobia: Although CBCT machines are open and do not enclose the patient in a tunnel, a small number of patients feel anxious when a piece of equipment rotates close to their head. If you are prone to claustrophobia or medical anxiety, mention this beforehand so the radiographer can explain each step and help you feel at ease.
• Children: If the scan is for a child, inform the center at the time of booking so the team can allocate extra time for positioning and use pediatric dose settings. Bringing a parent or guardian into the scanning room is usually permitted and can help keep the child calm and still.

You do not need to bring any special documents beyond your Emirates ID or passport (for patient registration) and any referral letter or prescription from your dentist, if applicable. At DCDC, the team will handle everything else.

Patient Story: Arriving Prepared Makes a Difference

A 32-year-old woman visited DCDC for a CBCT scan ahead of orthodontic treatment. On her first visit, she arrived wearing multiple earrings, a necklace, and had several metal hairpins securing her headscarf. The radiographer needed to pause the process while each item was carefully removed and stored. On her follow-up scan six months later, she arrived having already removed all jewelry and used a clip-free headscarf. She was in and out of the imaging room in under five minutes.

"The second visit was so much faster," she told the DCDC team. "I had no idea how much time the jewelry removal added. Now I always leave my earrings at home when I have any kind of dental appointment." Her experience is a reminder that a small amount of planning at home can shave several minutes off your visit and make the entire process more comfortable.

Checklist: Your CBCT Appointment Day

Here is a complete, step-by-step checklist you can follow on the morning or afternoon of your CBCT scan. Print it out, save it to your phone, or simply review it before you leave home:

Before You Leave Home

• Eat a normal meal or snack. There is no fasting requirement. Having food in your system helps you feel steady and comfortable during the scan.
• Take your regular medications. No medications need to be stopped or adjusted for a CBCT scan.
• Leave unnecessary jewelry at home. Remove earrings, necklaces, and facial piercings before you leave. This saves time at the imaging center and reduces the risk of misplacing small items.
• Remove metal hair accessories. Swap metal hairpins, clips, and headbands for fabric alternatives.
• Choose clothing without metal near the neck. A plain T-shirt, blouse, or dress without metal zippers or snaps at the neckline is ideal.
• Bring your Emirates ID or passport for patient registration.
• Bring your referral letter or dentist's prescription if you have one. If your dentist sent the referral directly to the imaging center, confirm this was done.
• Bring any previous dental imaging (CD, USB, or digital link) if you have scans from another clinic, so the radiologist can compare.

At the Imaging Center

• Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early for registration and paperwork, especially if it is your first visit.
• Inform the receptionist or radiographer if you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant.
• Mention any medical conditions that affect your ability to stand still (tremor, vertigo, balance issues).
• Remove all remaining metal from the head and neck: eyeglasses, hearing aids, removable dentures, retainers, and any jewelry you may have forgotten.
• Store your belongings securely. The center will provide a safe place for your personal items during the scan.
• Follow the radiographer's positioning instructions. Stand or sit as directed, place your chin on the rest, and keep your head still during the rotation.
• Stay still for 20 to 40 seconds while the machine rotates around your head. Breathe normally and avoid swallowing during the scan if possible.

After the Scan

• Collect your belongings. Retrieve your jewelry, eyeglasses, and any items you stored during the scan.
• Ask about results. At DCDC, results are typically available the same day or within 24 hours. The images and radiologist's report will be shared digitally with your referring dentist.
• Return to your normal activities immediately. There is no recovery period, no drowsiness, and no restrictions. You can drive, eat, work, and exercise as usual.

The entire process — from walking in to walking out — typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. The actual scan is under a minute. Most patients are genuinely surprised at how quick and easy the experience is.

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न

Final Thoughts

Preparing for a CBCT scan is one of the easiest things you will do in your dental care journey. There is no fasting, no blood work, no contrast dye, no sedation, and no recovery time. The single most important step is removing metal objects from your head and neck, and even that takes less than a minute. Everything else — eating normally, wearing your regular clothes, arriving a few minutes early — is straightforward common sense.

At Doctors Clinic Diagnostic Center (DCDC) in Dubai Healthcare City, the radiology team guides every patient through the process from start to finish. Whether this is your first CBCT scan or a follow-up, the experience is quick, comfortable, and hassle-free. If you have any questions about preparation or want to book your appointment, contact DCDC or reach out via WhatsApp. For information about what a CBCT scan is and how it works, read our complete guide on what is a CBCT scan.

लेखक

Dr. Osama Elzamzami

प्रोफाइल देखें

Diagnostic Radiology

MD, FRCR

Dr. Osama Elzamzami is the Head of Radiology at DCDC Dubai Healthcare City, specializing in diagnostic imaging including CBCT, CT, MRI, and ultrasound. He holds an MD and FRCR (Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists).

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