How to Prepare for a CBCT Scan?
Simple to Prepare For — But Worth Knowing in Advance
A CBCT scan is one of the most straightforward medical investigations a patient can have. There is no fasting, no injection, no sedation, and no recovery period afterward. Most patients arrive, complete their scan within 20 to 30 minutes, and return to their normal day without any disruption. Yet despite how simple the process is, many patients arrive at diagnostic centres in Lahore unsure of what to expect, what to bring, and what to do beforehand — and that uncertainty adds unnecessary anxiety to what is genuinely a quick and comfortable procedure.
At Alnoor Diagnostic Centre in Shadman, Lahore, we believe a well-informed patient has a better experience. This guide walks you through everything you need to know before your CBCT scan appointment so that you arrive prepared, relaxed, and ready.
You Do Not Need to Fast
The first thing most patients ask when referred for any medical investigation is whether they need to stop eating beforehand. For a CBCT scan, the answer is no. You can eat and drink completely normally before your appointment — there are no dietary restrictions of any kind. Have your breakfast, your chai, your lunch — whatever your normal routine includes. This is because the CBCT scan involves no sedation, no anaesthesia, and no contrast injection that would require an empty stomach.
Similarly, all regular medications can be taken at their usual times with water as normal. Blood pressure tablets, diabetes medication, thyroid medication, heart medication — none of these need to be adjusted for a CBCT scan. If you have any doubt about a specific medication, confirm with your referring doctor, but for the overwhelming majority of patients no medication changes are needed.
Remove All Metal From the Head and Neck Area
This is the most important practical step in preparing for your CBCT scan. Metal objects within the scanning area cause artefacts — bright streaks and distortions in the three-dimensional image that can obscure the very details your doctor needs to see. To ensure your scan produces the clearest possible images, all metal must be removed from the head and neck region before the scan begins.
This includes all earrings — studs, hoops, and hanging earrings. It includes necklaces, chains, and pendants. Hair clips, bobby pins, metal hair bands, and any other metal hair accessories must be removed. Glasses — both prescription spectacles and sunglasses — must be taken off. Hearing aids must be removed. Tongue and facial piercings in the scan area need to come out. Removable dental appliances — retainers, removable partial dentures, full dentures, and night guards — must be taken out before the scan.
The simplest approach is to leave jewellery at home on the day of your appointment rather than removing and managing it at the centre. Bring a case for your hearing aid and a container for your removable dental appliance so they remain safe and clean while you are being scanned.
Fixed dental restorations — crowns, bridges, implants, and fixed braces — are permanently attached and cannot be removed. Our radiographers are experienced in managing these and will position you to minimise their effect on image quality. Our radiologists are skilled at interpreting scans in the presence of existing dental metalwork.
Wear Simple, Comfortable Clothing
You do not need to change into a hospital gown for a CBCT scan — you remain fully clothed throughout. However, dress simply and comfortably on the day. Avoid high-neck tops, turtlenecks, or clothing with metal buckles or embellishments around the neck and shoulders. Loose, relaxed clothing that does not restrict your neck movement makes the process more comfortable. Leave heavy necklaces and large earrings at home since you will need to remove them anyway.
Bring the Right Documents
Always bring your referral letter or prescription from your referring doctor. This document tells our radiologists exactly which area needs to be scanned, the clinical indication behind the request, and what information your specialist needs from the report. A clear referral ensures our team selects the correct field of view and scanning protocol for your specific situation — which directly affects both image quality and radiation optimisation.
If you have any previous dental X-rays, panoramic scans, CT scans, or prior CBCT scans of the same region, bring these along or bring their reports if the original images are not available. Previous imaging gives our radiologist a baseline for comparison and adds clinical context that improves the accuracy of your report.
Bring your national identity card or other identification, and be prepared to share a brief medical history when you arrive.
Tell Our Team if You Are Pregnant
If you are pregnant or believe you may be pregnant, inform our team before your scan. CBCT scans involve a small dose of ionising radiation. While the dose is low, the standard principle in medical imaging is to avoid all unnecessary radiation exposure during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. In most cases a non-urgent CBCT scan can be safely deferred until after delivery. If your scan is clinically urgent, your referring doctor will have already assessed the necessity carefully, and our team will take appropriate precautions.
If you have any metal implants in the head or neck — such as cochlear implants or vascular clips — inform our team in advance as these may affect image quality or scan suitability in specific circumstances.
No Special Arrangements Needed After the Scan
Unlike procedures that involve sedation, a CBCT scan requires absolutely no special arrangements for afterward. You can drive yourself to and from the appointment. There is no recovery time. There are no aftereffects on alertness, coordination, or judgement. You can eat, work, exercise, and carry on with every normal activity immediately after leaving our centre. There is nothing to plan or arrange for the rest of your day.
What to Expect When You Arrive
When you arrive at Alnoor Diagnostic Centre in Shadman, Lahore, our reception team will confirm your appointment and guide you through a brief patient information form. You will be asked to remove any metal accessories and taken to the CBCT scanning area by our trained radiographer.
The CBCT machine is completely open on all sides — there is no enclosed tunnel, no confined space, and no sensation of claustrophobia. You will be comfortably seated or standing with your head supported by a chin rest and forehead support. Your radiographer will ask you to remain still during the scan, which takes approximately 10 to 20 seconds. You will hear a soft mechanical sound as the scan arm rotates. That is all. The images are processed immediately afterward and your radiologist begins preparing the detailed report that your specialist will use for your treatment planning.
Book Your CBCT Scan at Alnoor Diagnostic Centre, Lahore
At Alnoor Diagnostic Centre in Shadman, Lahore, our experienced team makes every CBCT scan as comfortable, efficient, and accurate as possible. We serve patients referred by dentists, oral surgeons, ENT specialists, and maxillofacial surgeons across Lahore, and our reports meet the clinical standards that specialist practice demands.