Wollongong Endodontics is the only specialist endodontic clinic in the Illawarra offering CBCT 3D cone beam CT imaging. Patients no longer need to travel to Sydney for specialist endodontic diagnosis.
What is CBCT 3D dental imaging?
Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a specialised 3D X-ray technique that captures a detailed three-dimensional image of the teeth, jaws and surrounding structures in a single short scan. The C-arm rotates once around your head in 10–20 seconds, capturing hundreds of slices that are reconstructed into a high-resolution 3D volume.
Unlike a conventional 2D dental X-ray, CBCT allows the endodontist to view the tooth and its roots from any angle — axial, coronal or sagittal — with sub-millimetre accuracy. For endodontics, this precision is often the difference between a confident diagnosis and a working hypothesis.
How CBCT compares to conventional 2D X-rays
Standard periapical X-rays are a two-dimensional representation of three-dimensional anatomy. Overlapping structures, angulation and image distortion can obscure important findings — particularly in the maxilla, where roots overlap with the sinus, zygomatic arch and palatal bone.
- 2D periapical — gives a general picture, shows obvious decay, existing fillings, overall bone levels.
- CBCT 3D — shows root number, root curvature, extra canals (such as MB2 in upper molars), bone loss patterns, root fractures, resorption lesions, and the exact relationship of roots to adjacent anatomy (sinus floor, inferior alveolar nerve, neighbouring teeth).
When CBCT is used in specialist endodontics
CBCT is not ordered for every case — only when the clinical situation demands three-dimensional information. Common indications include:
- Suspected root resorption — the location, extent and any perforation can only be reliably assessed in 3D.
- Suspected vertical root fracture — rarely visible on 2D X-rays; CBCT shows the fracture line and associated bone loss.
- Complex canal anatomy — detecting additional canals (e.g. MB2 in upper molars), unusual root curvatures and calcification.
- Retreatment planning — assessing why a previous root canal has failed, locating missed canals, and planning orthograde or surgical retreatment.
- Apical surgery planning — measuring root-to-sinus distances, locating the inferior alveolar nerve, and planning the surgical flap.
- Dental trauma — assessing root fractures, luxation, alveolar bone integrity, and subtle apical changes.
- Persistent periapical infection — tracing sinus tracts, identifying the offending tooth, and quantifying bone loss.
- Diagnostic uncertainty — when clinical and 2D radiographic findings do not agree.
What to expect at a CBCT appointment
The process is quick, comfortable and non-invasive:
- Positioning — you stand or sit still, chin supported on a rest. A lead apron may be provided.
- Scan — the C-arm rotates once around your head. Total scan time is 10–20 seconds. There is no noise, no sensation, no discomfort.
- Reconstruction — the raw data is reconstructed into a 3D volume in about 30 seconds.
- Review — the endodontist reviews the slices and 3D reconstruction with you on-screen, explaining the findings.
- Report — a written report is generated and shared electronically with your referring dentist.
The entire appointment typically takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Radiation safety
A small field-of-view dental CBCT scan delivers a very low radiation dose — typically 10 to 80 microsieverts. For comparison:
- Normal background radiation per week: ~50 microsieverts
- Intraoral periapical X-ray: ~5 microsieverts
- Small-field dental CBCT: ~10–80 microsieverts
- Medical head CT: ~2,000 microsieverts
We apply the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) — smallest field of view, lowest resolution that gives the diagnostic information required, and only when clinically indicated.
CBCT at both practices
CBCT 3D imaging is available at both our practices:
Wollongong Endodontics — G04/38 Atchison Street, Wollongong
Southwest Endodontic Centre — Shop 1/420 Macquarie Street, Liverpool
For referring dentists
If you would like to arrange a CBCT for a patient — with or without a full endodontic consultation — call (02) 4208 0155 or submit an online referral and indicate that CBCT is required. The scan is reported and all images are shared electronically with your practice on the day of the appointment.
Refer a Patient → (02) 4208 0155
Frequently Asked Questions
Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a specialised 3D X-ray technique that captures a detailed three-dimensional image of the teeth, jaws and surrounding structures in a single short scan. Unlike a conventional 2D dental X-ray, CBCT allows the endodontist to view the tooth and its roots from any angle, with sub-millimetre accuracy — essential for diagnosing complex anatomy, cracks, resorption and infection.
CBCT is not needed for every root canal, but it is indicated when 2D imaging does not give a clear answer. Common indications include suspected root resorption, suspected vertical root fracture, complex canal anatomy (especially in upper molars with an MB2 canal), previously treated teeth with persistent symptoms, surgical planning for apical surgery, dental trauma assessment, and tracing the path of persistent periapical infection.
Yes. Wollongong Endodontics is the only specialist endodontic clinic in the Illawarra offering CBCT 3D cone beam CT imaging on-site. Patients no longer need to travel to Sydney for specialist endodontic diagnosis.
A small field-of-view dental CBCT scan delivers a very low radiation dose — typically in the range of 10 to 80 microsieverts, which is less than a week of normal background radiation and a small fraction of a medical CT scan. Scans are only ordered when clinically indicated, using the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable).
The scan itself takes 10 to 20 seconds. You stand or sit still while the machine rotates once around your head. The entire appointment — positioning, scanning and discussion of findings — typically takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Yes. Referring dentists can arrange CBCT imaging for their patients at Wollongong Endodontics. Call (02) 4208 0155 or use our online referral form and indicate that CBCT is required. The scan is reported and the images are shared electronically with the referring practice.