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Mississauga, ON · Advanced Diagnostic Imaging

CBCT 3D Imaging in Mississauga

See what conventional X-rays can’t. Cone beam CT imaging gives our team a three-dimensional view of your teeth, jaw, nerves, and bone — enabling more precise diagnosis and more predictable treatment.
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905-848-2250
Overview

What is CBCT 3D imaging?

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is a specialized imaging technology that produces three-dimensional, high-resolution scans of the teeth, jaw, sinuses, nerve canals, and surrounding bone structures. Unlike conventional dental X-rays, which produce flat two-dimensional images, CBCT allows our team to examine anatomy from any angle and in cross-section — providing a level of diagnostic detail that significantly improves planning for complex procedures.At Tomken Dental, CBCT imaging is used selectively for cases where conventional imaging is insufficient — particularly for implant planning, complex extractions, TMJ assessment, and evaluating bone anatomy before surgical procedures. The scan is taken in-clinic, requires no contrast injection, and is completed in less than a minute with radiation exposure carefully limited to the area of clinical interest.

Three-Dimensional Accuracy

Conventional X-rays compress complex three-dimensional anatomy into a flat image — sometimes obscuring critical structures or making measurements unreliable. CBCT imaging eliminates this limitation, giving our team accurate spatial information about bone volume, nerve position, root anatomy, and adjacent structures.

Safer Than Medical CT

CBCT delivers significantly less radiation than a conventional medical CT scan — with a focused field of view limited to the area of clinical interest. Modern CBCT units are designed to minimize patient dose while producing diagnostically sufficient image quality for dental applications.

In-Clinic, Immediate Access

Having CBCT imaging available on-site means no referral to an external imaging centre, no waiting weeks for results, and no added inconvenience for patients. We can take, review, and act on CBCT scans within the same appointment — shortening the path from diagnosis to treatment.
Who This Is For

When CBCT imaging is recommended.

CBCT is not used for routine check-ups — it’s prescribed when conventional imaging is insufficient to safely plan a procedure or make an accurate diagnosis. We follow the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) — meaning imaging is only taken when the clinical benefit justifies it.

Dental Implant Planning

Placing an implant safely requires precise knowledge of bone volume, density, and the location of the inferior alveolar nerve and sinus floor. CBCT allows virtual implant placement before the procedure — reducing surgical risk and improving outcome predictability for every implant case.

Complex Tooth Extractions

Impacted wisdom teeth, deeply curved roots, or teeth in close proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve benefit from CBCT assessment before extraction. Understanding the precise root shape and nerve relationship reduces surgical complication risk significantly.

TMJ Assessment

Evaluating the temporomandibular joint for arthritic changes, bone erosion, or structural pathology requires three-dimensional imaging. CBCT provides cross-sectional views of the condyle and fossa that conventional X-rays and panoramic images cannot match.

Airway & Sinus Evaluation

CBCT imaging can visualize the upper and lower airway in three dimensions — useful for sleep apnea treatment planning and for assessing sinus anatomy before implants in the upper posterior jaw. It also identifies sinus pathology that may be contributing to dental symptoms.
What To Expect

Your CBCT scan, step by step.

1

Clinical Indication Review

CBCT is prescribed by your dentist based on a specific clinical need identified during examination. We explain why the scan is being recommended, what we’re looking for, and how the information will influence your treatment. Imaging is never taken without clinical justification.

2

Preparation

Remove any metal objects — jewellery, glasses, hearing aids, and removable dental appliances — before the scan to avoid image artefacts. A lead apron may be placed for additional protection. The process is brief and requires no injection, fasting, or special preparation.

3

The Scan Itself

You stand or sit in the CBCT unit while the imaging arm rotates around your head — completing a full scan in under 60 seconds. You’re asked to remain still during the scan. The unit does not touch you. There is no discomfort, no sound beyond a low hum, and no claustrophobia as it is an open system.

4

Image Processing

The scan data is processed into a three-dimensional digital model viewable from any angle and in any cross-sectional plane. We review this model to identify the specific anatomical information relevant to your treatment — and save relevant measurements, cross-sections, and annotated images to your file.

5

Results & Treatment Planning

We review the findings with you at your appointment — often showing you the three-dimensional images so you can see exactly what we see. The information gathered directly informs your treatment plan, allowing us to proceed with greater precision and predictability than conventional imaging alone would permit.
Honest Expectations

Benefits and realistic considerations.

What You Gain

  • Three-dimensional anatomical information that enables more precise, safer treatment planning
  • Reduced surgical risk for implant placement, extractions, and other procedures requiring spatial accuracy
  • In-clinic imaging with immediate review — no external referral or waiting
  • A clearer picture of your anatomy that helps you understand your own treatment

Things to Know

  • CBCT is used selectively, not routinely — it is prescribed only when conventional imaging is insufficient
  • CBCT involves radiation — less than a medical CT, but more than a standard X-ray. We prescribe it only when the benefit justifies it
  • CBCT imaging produces a fee separate from your procedure cost — we review this before taking the scan
  • Coverage varies by plan — we help you determine whether your insurance covers diagnostic imaging
Preparation & Aftercare

Before and after your CBCT scan.

Before the Scan

Remove all metal items — jewellery, glasses, hairpins, hearing aids, and removable dental appliances — immediately before the scan. Inform us if you are pregnant or suspect you may be — CBCT is generally avoided during pregnancy unless clinically urgent. No fasting, medication changes, or other preparation is required. The scan itself takes less than 60 seconds.

During the Scan

Stand or sit still in the CBCT unit and follow instructions from our team. The rotating arm does not touch you. Breathe normally and try to avoid swallowing during the scan rotation — the brief period of stillness produces the clearest image. The imaging is complete before most patients have time to feel any sense of concern.

After the Scan

There is no recovery period and no aftercare required following a CBCT scan. You can eat, drink, and drive normally immediately after. Your results are reviewed with you at the same appointment or at a brief follow-up — we do not send you home without explaining what was found and what it means for your treatment.
How Imaging Improves Your Care

What three-dimensional imaging makes possible.

CBCT gives our team clinical information that changes how we plan and perform complex procedures. Here’s what it enables us to do better.
Place implants precisely, avoiding nerves and sinus cavities with millimetre accuracy
Assess impacted teeth in three dimensions before planning extraction approach
Identify bone pathology, cysts, or unusual anatomy that conventional X-rays can miss
Evaluate TMJ joint surfaces in cross-section for arthritic changes or disc pathology
Measure airway dimensions to support sleep apnea appliance design
Produce surgical guides for implant placement based on the virtual plan from the scan
Related Services

Procedures that benefit from CBCT imaging.

Dental Implants

CBCT is standard of care for implant planning. It allows virtual implant placement before surgery — confirming bone volume, density, and safe distance from nerves. Dr. Ameen’s implant expertise combined with CBCT-guided planning produces more predictable surgical outcomes.

TMJ Therapy

Complex TMD cases benefit from CBCT assessment of condylar morphology and joint space. Three-dimensional imaging reveals structural changes that influence both diagnosis and treatment pathway selection — particularly when conservative management is not producing expected results.

CT Scan Referral (B2B)

We accept CBCT referrals from dental colleagues who require in-house imaging for their patients. Our on-site CBCT unit and interpretation service support referring practitioners with timely, well-documented imaging reports.
Why Tomken Dental

Why patients and practitioners choose us for CBCT imaging.

In-House Capability, Immediate Results

Patients and referring practitioners benefit from in-clinic CBCT capability that eliminates the delay and inconvenience of external imaging referral. We take, process, and review the scan in the same appointment — keeping treatment timelines efficient and information flow seamless.

Expert Interpretation for Complex Cases

Dr. Ameen’s advanced surgical training — including diplomate-level implantology — provides the clinical context needed to interpret CBCT findings accurately for complex procedures. Imaging is only valuable when interpreted by a clinician who understands the anatomy in a surgical context.

Selective, Justified Use

We do not use CBCT as a revenue-generating routine procedure. It is prescribed specifically when conventional imaging is insufficient and the clinical benefit justifies the exposure. Patients and referring practitioners can trust that any CBCT we recommend has clear clinical justification.
Common Questions

CBCT 3D imaging FAQ.

What is the difference between CBCT and a regular dental X-ray?
Standard dental X-rays produce flat, two-dimensional images. CBCT produces a three-dimensional volumetric dataset that can be viewed from any angle and in cross-section — providing spatial information about bone, nerves, and root anatomy that two-dimensional imaging cannot accurately represent.
CBCT delivers significantly less radiation than a conventional medical CT scan. The focused field of view is limited to the area of clinical interest, and we follow the ALARA principle — imaging is only taken when the diagnostic benefit justifies the exposure. For most CBCT scans, the radiation dose is a fraction of what you receive from natural background radiation over a few days.
The scan rotation takes less than 60 seconds. Including preparation and positioning, most patients are done with the scanning process in under five minutes. Image processing is rapid, and we can begin reviewing findings with you within minutes of the scan being taken.
No — dental CBCT units are open systems. You stand or sit while the imaging arm rotates around your head. There is no enclosure and no feeling of being confined. Patients who are claustrophobic in MRI or traditional medical CT scanners typically have no difficulty with CBCT.
CBCT at our clinic is prescribed by a dentist based on a clinical indication identified during your examination. If you’ve been referred to us by another dental provider specifically for imaging, we accept and coordinate those referrals directly. Call (647) 692-6053 to discuss your specific situation.

Better imaging. Better outcomes. Right here in Mississauga.

Ask about CBCT imaging at your next appointment. Call (647) 692-6053 or request online.
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