Maxillary sinus imaging for dental treatment • Great Barr
Dental CBCT sinus scan in Birmingham: for sinus lifts, implants and upper back teeth
The roots of the upper back teeth sit just below the maxillary sinus. A dental CBCT shows that relationship in 3D, so your dentist can plan a sinus lift, an implant or a difficult extraction. It is a dental scan, not a test for sinusitis.
- GDC regulated
- CQC registered
- IRMER-compliant
Prices
- CBCT scan£139 per arch
- Radiology report (optional)£115
- Consultation if you have no referring dentist£54
This is dental imaging, not an ENT investigation. We scan the sinus only where it matters for dental treatment: implants, sinus lifts, upper back teeth and extraction sites. If you have ongoing sinus symptoms such as congestion, facial pressure or discharge, please see a pharmacist or your GP. The NHS sets out when a GP may refer you to an ENT specialist.
Why the sinus matters to your dentist
The maxillary sinuses are air spaces above the upper back teeth. In many people, the roots of the upper molars and premolars sit very close to the sinus floor, and sometimes they project into it. That matters whenever a dentist plans to work in that area. A flat X-ray can give a misleading impression. One study comparing panoramic X-rays with CBCT found that the panoramic image often overestimated how far roots projected into the sinus. It also tended to underestimate the distance between roots and the sinus floor.
Sinus lift and implant planning
When a back tooth has been missing for a while, the bone below the sinus can be thin. A CBCT shows the bone height and width and the shape of the sinus floor. That helps your dentist decide whether an implant is possible and whether a sinus lift (bone graft) is needed. UK selection criteria specifically mention limited-volume CBCT “to visualise the antral floor” in the upper molar region. See CBCT for dental implants.
Upper roots close to the sinus
Before removing an upper molar or upper wisdom tooth, a dentist may want to know whether the roots sit in or against the sinus. Research suggests that how close the root tip is to the sinus helps predict whether an opening between mouth and sinus could form.
Oro-antral communication
Occasionally, an extraction or surgery leaves an opening between the mouth and the sinus (an oro-antral communication). If it doesn’t close, it can become a fistula. Your dentist may request a CBCT to see the size and position of the bony defect when planning how to manage it.
Root canal and periapical problems
Infection at the tip of an upper back tooth can extend towards the sinus. A focused CBCT can help your dentist understand the extent. See endodontic CBCT.
What a dental CBCT can and can’t tell you about the sinus
- It shows bone well: the sinus floor, its walls near the teeth, the roots and the surrounding jaw in 3D.
- It does not diagnose sinus disease. Thickened lining or fluid may be seen on a dental scan. Deciding what that means for your nose and sinuses is a medical matter for your GP or ENT team.
- The field of view is limited. We scan the smallest area that answers the dental question. UK guidance links a larger field of view with a higher dose. Our largest volume is 16 cm high by 9 cm deep.
- Regions beyond the teeth and jaws need the right reader. UK CBCT guidance notes that interpreting areas such as the airway and skull base is outside routine dental training. Where a scan includes more of the sinus, a formal report from a radiologist may be the right choice.
Booking a sinus-region CBCT
Your dentist refers you, or you book online and add their details, through the booking and referral form. Choose “CBCT, upper jaw”. If you don’t have a dentist, the form adds a short consultation (£54) so a clinician can decide whether a scan is justified. UK law (IR(ME)R 2017) requires every exposure to be justified before it happens.
The scan takes place at 341 Birmingham Road, Great Barr, B43 7AP. Files go securely to your dentist, usually the same day. Costs: CBCT £139 per arch; optional radiology report £115. A £30 deposit secures an online appointment and is deducted on the day.
For referring dentists
- Say what you need to know. For example: “residual bone height UL6 site, sinus floor morphology, ?septa” or “UR7 root–antrum relationship pre-extraction”. We will then set the field of view to match.
- Tell us whether you will evaluate the whole volume yourself or want a radiology report. Under UK CBCT guidance, the clinical evaluation must cover the entire volume and be recorded.
- Datasets are supplied as DICOM for import into most implant-planning software, with JPG previews. See for dentists.
Book or refer for a CBCT Call 01922 326040
More: radiation safety · dental CT scans · what is a CBCT scan?
Frequently asked questions
I have sinusitis or a blocked nose. Can I book a sinus scan?
No. We are a dental imaging centre, and we only scan to answer a dental question. For sinus symptoms, the NHS advises starting with a pharmacist or GP. A GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, for example if sinusitis lasts more than three months despite treatment, keeps coming back or affects only one side of your face. Any sinus CT an ENT team needs is arranged through them.
Will the scan show my whole sinus?
Not necessarily. A dental scan is set to the smallest area that answers your dentist’s question. For upper back teeth or implant sites, that usually takes in the lower part of the sinus where it meets the jaw, not the whole sinus. Your dentist chooses the field of view, and we confirm it when we review the referral.
Does everyone need a CBCT before a sinus lift or upper implant?
Not always. UK selection criteria start with a periapical or panoramic X-ray. Limited-volume CBCT is suggested where cross-sectional information is needed, especially to see the floor of the sinus. Your implant dentist makes that judgement.
What happens if something unexpected shows up in the sinus?
The whole scan must be evaluated, not just the area your dentist asked about. Anything outside the dental question is passed to your referring dentist, who will explain what it means. If needed, they will advise you to see your GP. For scans that include more of the sinus, a formal radiology report (£115) is a sensible option.
How much does a dental sinus CBCT cost?
An upper-jaw CBCT is £139 per arch. A formal radiology report is optional at £115. If you have no referring dentist, a 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.