Orthodontic imaging • Great Barr, Birmingham
CBCT for orthodontics in Birmingham: impacted canines, root resorption and extra teeth
Most people having braces or aligners never need a 3D scan. A small, targeted CBCT is useful when an orthodontist needs to know exactly where an unerupted tooth sits, and whether it is damaging the roots of the teeth next to it.
- GDC regulated
- CQC registered
- IRMER-compliant
Prices
- CBCT scan£139 per arch
- Radiology report (optional)£115
- Consultation if you have no referring dentist£54
CBCT is not a routine orthodontic X-ray. British orthodontic guidance is clear that there is no indication for routine CBCT. We scan when your orthodontist or dentist has a specific question that ordinary X-rays have not answered, and only once the scan has been justified.
Why an orthodontist might ask for a 3D scan
An OPG (panoramic X-ray) and small intraoral X-rays are the normal starting point for orthodontic assessment. They show which teeth are present, which are still developing and roughly where they are. They are flat pictures of a three-dimensional jaw, though. Sometimes the orthodontist needs to know exactly where a tooth lies before deciding whether to move it, expose it surgically or remove it.
Impacted or ectopic canines
Upper canines are the teeth most often found in the wrong place. A small-field CBCT shows whether the canine lies towards the palate or the cheek, how high it sits and which way it is angled. The Royal College of Surgeons’ guideline on palatally ectopic canines says small-field CBCT may be appropriate in selected cases where conventional X-rays don’t give enough information to plan treatment.
Root resorption of neighbouring teeth
A misplaced canine can wear away the roots of the lateral or central incisors next to it. The same guideline reports one CBCT study that found resorption in two-thirds of lateral incisors next to ectopic canines, although not all of it was clinically significant. It also notes that this resorption most often happens between the ages of 11 and 12. Knowing whether it is present can change the treatment plan.
Supernumerary (extra) teeth
Extra teeth are a common reason an upper front tooth fails to come through. An intraoral X-ray is the usual first step. If the extra tooth’s position relative to the other roots is still unclear, a targeted CBCT may help the surgeon and orthodontist plan.
Other unerupted or displaced teeth
Lower canines, premolars and other teeth can also be displaced. UK guidance allows CBCT to assess an impacted tooth, and possible resorption of the tooth next to it, when lower-dose X-rays can’t provide that information adequately.
What a CBCT does not do in orthodontics
- It is not an airway or sleep test. Airway measurements on CBCT vary with swallowing and head position. Interpreting the airway and skull base also falls outside routine dental radiology. If you are worried about snoring or sleep apnoea, see your GP.
- It does not replace routine X-rays. A clinical examination and 2D X-rays remain the normal starting point. CBCT comes in only when they leave a specific question unanswered.
- It shows hard tissue, not soft tissue. Gums, muscles and other soft tissues are not shown in useful detail.
Scanning children and teenagers
Many orthodontic patients are aged 10 to 16, so dose matters. Younger people are more sensitive to radiation, and UK selection criteria recommend using a limited field of view wherever possible. We use the smallest field of view that answers the clinical question, usually just the region around the affected tooth rather than the whole jaw. The patient needs to stand still for a short time while the scanner arm rotates. If the patient is young or anxious, tell us when you book and we’ll explain each step before we start.
How to arrange an orthodontic CBCT
- Referral: your orthodontist or dentist refers through our online booking and referral form, or you book and enter their details. If you don’t have a dentist, the form adds a short consultation (£54) so a clinician can assess whether a scan is justified.
- The scan: takes place at 341 Birmingham Road, Great Barr, B43 7AP. The appointment is short, and the exposure itself takes seconds.
- Images: DICOM files and JPG previews go securely to the referring practice, usually the same day. Complex cases may take up to 24 hours. Viewer software is available on request.
- Interpretation: your orthodontist reviews the scan and explains the plan. A formal radiology report can be added for £115.
A CBCT is £139 per arch. Booking a specific appointment online requires a £30 deposit, which is deducted from your fee on the day. Full list: prices.
For referring orthodontists and dentists
- State the question and the region. For example: “UR3 localisation, ?resorption UR2/UR1”. This lets us justify the exposure and set a small field of view rather than a full-arch volume.
- Send existing radiographs. Parallax views or an OPG help with justification and can avoid unnecessary repeat imaging.
- Agree who evaluates the volume. Under UK CBCT guidance, every image must be clinically evaluated, including anatomy outside the area of interest, and a written record kept. Tell us whether you will evaluate the dataset or want a formal radiology report.
- Dose information for your IR(ME)R records is available on request. See for dentists and radiation safety.
Book or refer for a scan Call 01922 326040
Related: CBCT scans in Birmingham · wisdom teeth scans · CBCT vs OPG
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need a CBCT scan before braces?
Usually not. UK orthodontic guidance says CBCT should not be used routinely. Most orthodontic planning uses an examination and 2D X-rays such as an OPG. A CBCT is only considered when those X-rays can’t answer a specific question, for example where an impacted canine sits.
Is a CBCT scan safe for children?
Children are more sensitive to radiation than adults. UK guidance estimates the risk for young children at about two to three times that of adults in their thirties for the same dose. That is why a child’s scan has to be clearly justified and limited to the smallest area that answers the question. Your orthodontist weighs this before referring. You are always welcome to ask us about it too. See radiation safety.
Can a CBCT show whether a canine is damaging the front teeth?
That is one of the main reasons orthodontists request it. A 3D scan can show where the canine crown sits in relation to the roots of the neighbouring incisors. It can also show signs of root resorption that a flat X-ray may miss or blur. Your orthodontist then interprets the scan and decides on treatment.
Can you scan my airway for snoring or sleep apnoea?
No. We provide dental imaging, and a dental CBCT is not a test for snoring or sleep apnoea. Airway measurements on CBCT change with swallowing and head position, and regions such as the airway lie outside routine dental interpretation. If you are worried about your breathing during sleep, please speak to your GP.
How much is an orthodontic CBCT?
A CBCT is £139 per arch. A formal radiology report, if your orthodontist wants one, is £115. If you don’t have a dentist or orthodontist referring you, a short consultation (£54) comes first. See prices.
Ready to arrange a CBCT or OPG scan?
Book online in a few minutes, or call us if you are not sure which scan you need. Dentists can refer with the same form.