The Real Guide to CBCT

A CBCT purchase is a ten-year decision. Selecting a CBCT system requires far more than comparing price and image resolution. Clinicians should weigh field of view, radiation dose, image quality and software capability — AI, implant planning, airway analysis — alongside how well the unit fits an existing digital workflow. Warranty, technical support, equipment lifespan and the professional responsibility that comes with reading a full volume are just as essential to a long-term investment. This course weighs those factors together so you can choose a system that serves the practice you have and the one you’re building.

Steve Barnes is a sales management veteran of Dentsply and BioHorizons who has built his career around implantology, bone grafting and digital implant surgery planning. Today he is an Imaging Consultant with Acteon Group North America, teaching REAL GUIDE implant planning software at the Implant Pathway program in Phoenix, Arizona.

Key Learning Objectives:

Field of View:

Identify the appropriate CBCT field of view (FOV) for specific clinical applications and diagnostic needs.

Dose and Image Quality:

Evaluate radiation dose and image quality when comparing different CBCT systems.

Software Capability:

Assess CBCT software capabilities, including implant planning, airway analysis, AI-assisted features and surgical guide workflows.

Digital Workflow Integration:

Explain how CBCT systems integrate with intraoral scanners, 3D printers, implant libraries and other digital technologies.

Ownership Considerations:

Recognize important considerations around warranty, technical support, maintenance and expected equipment lifespan.

Reading Responsibility:

Discuss the clinical and professional responsibilities of reading full CBCT volumes and identifying incidental findings.

Comparing Systems:

Compare CBCT systems based on overall value, clinical versatility, image quality, interoperability and long-term practice needs.