Knowing how an examination will be performed often eliminates the anxiety felt about it. The topics our patients are most curious about before a dental tomography scan are these: how long does it take, does it hurt, is fasting necessary and when will the result be ready? As DijiDent Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic, at our clinic in Türkiye we find explaining the process from start to finish as important as the procedure itself. Below you will find all the stages, from the moment of the appointment to the evaluation of the result.
Appointment and Preliminary Evaluation
Tomography is not an examination requested on its own; it is planned after a clinical examination if there is a question that will affect the treatment decision. For this reason, in most of our patients the examination and imaging are completed on the same day. If you have a previously taken film or tomography, be sure to bring it. If the image is current and adequate, there may be no need for a repeat scan.
Pre-Scan Preparation
No special preparation is required. You are not asked to fast, and you continue to take your medications as usual. Only the following steps are applied:
- Removing accessories containing metal such as earrings, necklaces, hair clips, glasses and piercings
- Removing your denture if you use a removable one
- Reporting pregnancy or the possibility of pregnancy
- Using protective equipment if deemed necessary
This step is given importance because metal objects create interference in the image and make evaluation more difficult. Fillings and crowns in the mouth, on the other hand, cannot be removed; efforts are made to reduce the image effect they may create by adjusting the scanning protocol.
Positioning
Depending on the device model, you are positioned standing or sitting. The chin is placed on a support and the head is stabilized with light straps. This stabilization is not tight; its only purpose is to prevent movement. You do not enter a closed tunnel — this is the most common point of confusion with medical tomography. The device has an open structure and you can see your surroundings.
The Moment of the Scan
The device makes a half or full turn around your head. During this time you hear a slight motor sound. The only thing asked of you is to remain still for a few seconds and breathe normally. You may be asked to try not to swallow. The procedure is painless; it requires no needle, medication or contact. Depending on the device protocol, the scan is usually completed in 10 to 40 seconds.
Creating and Evaluating the Image
The slices obtained are combined on the computer to create a three-dimensional model. This process is short; the images usually appear on screen within a few minutes. Your dentist then examines the image together with you. Bone height, the course of the nerve canal, the position of the tooth roots and any pathological areas are discussed.
At DijiDent, we do not skip this step. A treatment decision made without you understanding what you see on the screen leaves you outside the process. In complex cases, additional time may be needed for detailed planning; in this case, your evaluation result is shared with you separately.
Are There Any Restrictions After the Scan?
No. You can continue your normal day after imaging. There is nothing that prevents you from driving, eating or working; no sedation or contrast agent is used in the procedure. In this respect, dental tomography is a simpler experience than many medical imaging procedures.
Delivery of the Images
Images can be shared as digital files. If you would like to obtain a second opinion, have follow-up at another center or keep them in your archive, simply request them. These files are also valuable for comparisons to be made in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Dental tomography devices have an open structure; there is an arm that rotates around your head. This is an important difference for patients who experience claustrophobia.
No. No fasting, diet or medication restriction is required.
The scan itself is completed within seconds. Including preparation and positioning, the total time is usually a few minutes.
The images are ready in a short time and in most cases are evaluated in the same session. In situations requiring detailed surgical planning, additional time may be needed.
Metal restorations can create a glare effect in the image. In most cases this does not prevent evaluation; when necessary, the scanning protocol is adjusted accordingly.
Yes, absolutely. Even if there is only a possibility of pregnancy, you should report it; this information directly affects the imaging decision.
Knowing the process reduces anxiety.
Contact us to book an appointment so that your examination and, if necessary, your imaging can be completed on the same day. Let us proceed at DijiDent Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic by explaining every step to you.
This content is for general information purposes. Scan duration and protocol may vary depending on the device; the imaging decision is made by your dentist.
