Are Dental CT Scans A Scam?

If your dentist recommended a CT scan and your insurance did not cover it, you may be wondering:

“If this scan is really necessary, why do I have to pay for it myself?”

This is one of the most common questions patients ask, especially before dental implant treatment.

The short answer is no, a CT scan is not a scam. A CT scan is one of the most valuable tools dentists have to diagnose problems and plan treatment safely.

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What Is a Dental CT Scan?

A dental CT scan, also called a CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scan, creates a three-dimensional image of your teeth, jawbone, nerves, sinuses, and surrounding structures.

Unlike a regular dental X-ray, which gives a flat image, a CBCT allows your dentist to look at your mouth from different angles. This helps for details that cannot be seen on traditional X-rays.

When Is a CT Scan Needed?

Not every patient needs a CT scan. Many routine dental procedures can be completed using regular X-rays.

However, a CT scan is often recommended for more complex cases, including:

  • Dental implant planning
  • Wisdom tooth extractions, especially when teeth are close to the nerve
  • Bone grafting procedures
  • Full-mouth reconstruction
  • Evaluation of cysts, tumors, or jaw infections
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) evaluation in selected cases
  • Orthodontic cases with impacted teeth
  • Evaluation of the sinuses before certain procedures

For these treatments, knowing exactly where the bone, nerves, roots, and surrounding structures are located can make a significant difference in treatment planning and patient safety.

CBCT

Why Is a CT Scan Important Before Dental Implants?

Before placing an implant, your dentist needs to know whether there is enough bone to support it. We also need to know exactly where important structures, such as the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw or the maxillary sinus in the upper jaw, are located.

A CT scan allows your dentist to measure the height and width of the bone, evaluate bone quality, and determine the best size and position for the implant.

Without this information, implant placement would be considered below the standard of care and is not recommended.

So Why Doesn't Insurance Cover It?

This is where many patients become confused.

Sometimes insurance does cover a CT scan. It depends on your insurance plan and the reason the scan is being taken.

If the CT scan is being used to diagnose a medical condition or to evaluate a problem that your insurance considers medically necessary, your plan may provide coverage.

However, many CT scans in dentistry are taken before procedures that insurance companies consider elective or not medically necessary. Dental implants are one of the best examples. Although implants are widely considered the best way to replace missing teeth, many dental insurance plans still classify them as an elective treatment. Since the implant procedure itself is often not covered, the CT scan needed to plan that procedure may not be covered either.

Does That Mean the CT Scan Is Just an Extra Cost?

A CT scan is not ordered to increase the cost of treatment. It is ordered because it provides information that helps your dentist treat you more safely and more accurately.

In many cases, the scan helps identify problems before treatment even begins. It can also reduce the risk of complications by allowing your dentist to plan every step of the procedure. In fact, if your dentist is not recommending a CT scan for these types of procedures, it is worth asking why. 

For procedures such as dental implants, that extra information is often essential.

References:

  1. Tyndall DA, Price JB, Tetradis S, Ganz SD, Hildebolt C, Scarfe WC. Position statement of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology on selection criteria for the use of radiology in dental implantology with emphasis on cone beam computed tomography. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2012;113(6):817-826. doi:10.1016/j.oooo.2012.03.005. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22668710/
  2. Scarfe WC, Farman AG. What is Cone-Beam CT and How Does it Work? Dent Clin North Am. 2008;52(4):707-730. doi:10.1016/j.cden.2008.05.005. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001185320800044X
  3. S. Food and Drug Administration. Dental Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): U.S. Food and Drug Administration; [cited 2026 Jul 13]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/medical-x-ray-imaging/dental-cone-beam-computed-tomography
  4. American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology. Position Papers [Internet]. Minneapolis (MN): American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology; [cited 2026 Jul 13]. Available from: https://aaomr.org/AAOMR/Resources/Position-Papers.aspx

Credits:

Authored by: Omar Halimi

Edited by: Stephanie Diego DDS MPH

Published on July 13, 2026

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