Dental CT Scans Torrevieja Spain
Dental X-Rays and CT Scans (TAC/CBCT) in Torrevieja
Before treating a tooth, you have to see inside it. An X-ray or a dental CT scan lets the dentist see the roots, the canals, the jawbone and the structures hidden from the naked eye, so they can make an accurate diagnosis and plan treatment safely. At AP-Denta we carry out both intraoral and panoramic X-rays and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT/TAC 3D) with a Planmeca ProMax 3D unit, made in Finland.
Why patients trust AP-Denta
in Torrevieja and the Costa Blanca
a full 3D CT scan takes
endodontic mode on our equipment
We do the imaging diagnosis in the clinic itself: no travelling to an external centre and no waiting days for the report. The dentist reviews the images with you at the same visit and explains, in Spanish or English, exactly what is seen in your case.
AP-Denta serves the whole Costa Blanca: Torrevieja, Alicante, Elche, Orihuela and Benidorm. Free parking right in front of the clinic.
Areas we serve:
what an x-ray is and what a ct/cbct is
What is a dental X-ray? It is an image that lets the dentist assess the state of the teeth, the bone around them and the jaws, without opening or touching anything. It can be periapical (one or two teeth, with a sensor placed inside the mouth) or panoramic (the whole arch, with the machine rotating around the head). We use digital equipment, which reduces the radiation dose compared with traditional film X-rays and lets us repeat the shot if needed without added risk.
What is a dental CT (CBCT)? It is a cone-beam computed tomography: from hundreds of projections taken in a single rotation, the unit reconstructs a complete three-dimensional volume of the jaws. Unlike a flat X-ray, where all structures are superimposed in a single image, the CT lets you see the bone, the root canals and the roots from any angle, in thin slices, and locate exactly where a problem is and how big it is —something a 2D X-ray can only suggest, not confirm.
when each type of study is needed
A simple X-ray is usually enough to:
- detect cavities between teeth or under an old filling, even when the crown looks intact
- check the state of a canal before or after root canal treatment
- check how a crown, a bridge or a recent filling is settling
- routine periodic check-ups at reviews and cleanings
A 3D study (CBCT/TAC) provides something a flat X-ray cannot — real volume and exact measurements — and is recommended for:
- planning a dental implant, precisely measuring the height and thickness of the available bone
- assessing an impacted wisdom tooth or one in a complicated position before extraction
- difficult endodontic cases, with curved, calcified canals or extra roots that a 2D X-ray cannot distinguish clearly
- cysts, tumour lesions or bone tumours of dental origin, to know their real size and extent before surgery
- advanced periodontal disease, to see bone loss around the root
- dental trauma or root fractures after a blow
- assessing how close a root or a future implant is to the maxillary sinuses, before working in the upper molar area
- planning a complex prosthetic rehabilitation —prosthetics on several implants— measuring in advance how each piece will fit
- planning complex orthodontic treatment, or studying the position of teeth that have not come through in children and teenagers
- suspected anomalies in the number, shape or position of teeth, or in the bite
how the process works, step by step
Periapical X-ray
Earrings, oral piercings and any metal object in the area are removed. The dentist places a small digital sensor inside the mouth, next to the tooth to be studied, and the shot is taken in a fraction of a second. The image appears instantly on the screen.
Panoramic X-ray (orthopantomography)
You stand or sit with your head fixed in a support while the arm of the unit rotates slowly around you, describing a full arc. The process takes a few minutes and gives a single image of both arches, the maxillary sinuses and the jaw joints.
3D tomography (CBCT/TAC)
The positioning is very similar to the panoramic —standing, with the head immobilised— but the arm of the unit makes a single rotation around the head, capturing hundreds of projections in just 20–30 seconds. The software then reconstructs those projections into a three-dimensional volume that the dentist can go through slice by slice, from any angle.
Reading and report
In any of the three cases, the dentist themself reviews the images with you at the same appointment, without sending them to an external centre or waiting several days. If the case requires it, the study is given to you in digital format for your records or for another specialist.
the equipment we use
We carry out 2D and 3D studies with a Planmeca ProMax 3D unit, from the Finnish company Planmeca, a multifunction —all-in-one— system that combines panoramic X-ray, 3D tomography and, depending on the model, cephalometry in the same device. The arm positions itself automatically around the patient thanks to its robotic SCARA mechanism, and CALM technology compensates for any small involuntary movement of the patient during the shot, so the image comes out sharp the first time. The unit also works with ultra-low-dose protocols (Ultra Low Dose) that reduce radiation without losing sharpness.
For endodontic cases, the unit offers a very high resolution mode —75-micron voxel— designed specifically to visualise fine canals and complex roots. The Romexis software, from the same brand, lets the dentist measure distances, angles and bone volumes directly on screen to plan treatment with millimetric precision.
preparation before the study
It requires no special preparation or fasting. Before going in, we will ask you to remove earrings, oral piercings, glasses, metal hairpins or any piece of jewellery in the head and neck area, because metal can distort the image. If you have any doubt about the process —for example, if you are pregnant, are worried about claustrophobia or have a medical device—, tell us when booking the appointment: we will explain it calmly before the day of the study, not in the chair itself.
advantages of having the study at ap-denta
- the equipment is in the clinic itself: no travelling to an external radiology centre or waiting days for the report to be sent
- the same dentist who will treat you reviews the image with you, at the same visit, and explains what it means for your specific case
- digital ultra-low-dose equipment: if a projection needs to be repeated, it does not involve a relevant added risk
- we serve in Spanish and English, which is especially useful if you are passing through or living on the Costa Blanca without mastering the language
- 21+ years of experience in Torrevieja, with free parking right in front of the clinic
advantages and limitations of the technique
Digital X-ray and 3D tomography share the same basic advantage: the dentist sees what cannot be seen with the naked eye, which makes it possible to detect a problem before it hurts and to plan any treatment —from a filling to an implant— based on real data and not assumptions. Compared with traditional radiographic film, the digital sensor also reduces the radiation dose and delivers the image instantly, without chemical developing products.
The main limitation is that, as with any X-ray technique, there is a small radiation dose —far below safety limits and comparable to other routine medical tests—, so the dentist only requests the test that really provides relevant information for the case, without repeating studies unnecessarily.
contraindications and precautions
- during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, it is only carried out if truly essential and always using a lead apron and collar
- if you have claustrophobia or find it uncomfortable to stay still in the unit, tell us beforehand: the process is brief, the unit is open at the sides —it is not a closed tunnel— and, if you still need it, we can talk it through calmly before starting
- tell us if you have a pacemaker or another implanted medical device, although it is not usually a problem for this type of study
- in children, the field of view is always adjusted to the strictly necessary area to minimise the dose
price of the study
The price depends on the type of image and the area to be studied. For 3D tomography (CBCT/TAC), our reference prices are:
| Study | Price |
|---|---|
| 3D CT of a single tooth | 35€ |
| 3D CT of the whole arch / full jaw | 75€ |
Periapical and panoramic X-rays are usually included in the budget of the corresponding treatment; the exact cost, if any, will be indicated at the initial consultation, before any test is carried out.
frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a panoramic X-ray and a 3D CT?
The panoramic gives a single flat image of the whole mouth, useful for a general view. The 3D CT reconstructs a complete volume that can be gone through slice by slice in any direction, which is essential when bone has to be measured precisely, such as before an implant.
Is the radiation from these tests safe?
Yes. Both digital X-ray and 3D tomography work with very low, regulated and verified doses, and only the study that really provides necessary information for your case is requested.
How long does it take for the result to be ready?
The dentist reviews the image with you at the appointment itself, immediately. There is no need to travel to another centre or wait days to know the result.
Do I need any special preparation before the study?
No. Simply remove earrings, oral piercings, glasses or any metal object that could interfere with the image in the head and neck area.
Can I have a CT if I already have implants or a metal prosthesis?
Yes. The metal can generate some scatter around the piece in the image, but it does not prevent the study from being carried out or interpreted correctly in the rest of the arch.
How often can or should I have an X-ray or a CT?
There is no fixed interval: the dentist only requests a new test when it really provides necessary information for the case —a routine review, a new symptom or the planning of a treatment—, never automatically or repeated without reason.
Do you need an X-ray or a dental CT?
Tell us what treatment you have planned and we will tell you exactly which imaging study you need, with no unnecessary tests.
Book an appointment
Contact Information:
| Torrevieja, Pasaje Pais Vasco, edificio 1 local 4 | |
| +(34) 638 893 141 | |
| +(34) 638 893 141 | |
| apdenta@gmail.com | |
| Working hours: Mon - Fri: from 10:00 to 20:00 |