What is the difference between a CBCT scan and an OPG?

An OPG (panoramic X-ray) is a single, flat image of your whole mouth - all the teeth, both jaws and the sinuses - taken in one sweep. A CBCT is a 3D scan that shows the same structures in slices from any angle, so a dentist can measure bone depth and see exactly where nerves and roots sit. OPGs answer 'what's there?'; CBCTs answer 'exactly where, and how much?'

How much does a CBCT or OPG scan cost at City Dental Care?

A CBCT scan is £100 - the same price whether it covers one arch or both. An OPG is £50. Both prices apply to patients referred by another practice as well as to our own patients.

Can another dentist refer me here just for a scan?

Yes. We accept imaging-only referrals from any dental practice. We take the images your dentist has asked for, send them back to your dentist within 48 hours, and you stay under your own dentist's care - we don't examine you, plan treatment or give an opinion on the scan.

Do you report on the scans?

No. We provide the images only; interpretation stays with the referring dentist, who knows the clinical picture. Referring dentists who want a formal radiology report arrange that separately.

A CBCT uses a higher radiation dose than a small dental X-ray and a considerably lower dose than a hospital CT scan. Because it isn't a zero-dose test, every scan needs a clinical reason - we ask referring dentists to state it, and we don't scan without one.

How is payment handled for referred scans?

Either in full before the appointment, or a 20% deposit beforehand - by online payment link or over the phone - with the balance paid on the day. We can arrange this directly with you as the patient, or with your referring practice if they prefer to cover it.

How do I book an appointment?

Referring dentists can use the online referral form or call us on 0131 228 2442. Patients of the practice who have been advised they need a scan can book through reception. We are open until 8pm Monday to Thursday, and until 5pm on Friday.

Where is the practice?

We are at 9 Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9BN - in the heart of Edinburgh, a short walk from Haymarket Station. The Princes Exchange Car Park is in our own building, accessed from Riego Street at the rear.

CBCT & OPG Scans in Edinburgh - In-House, Referrals Welcome

Rayscan Alpha 3D CBCT scanner at City Dental Care, Edinburgh

CBCT and OPG Scans in Edinburgh — In-House, Referrals Welcome

City Dental Care has a Rayscan Alpha 3D cone-beam CT scanner and an OPG (panoramic X-ray) unit in the building on Earl Grey Street, in the centre of Edinburgh. Our own patients are scanned the same visit their dentist decides one is needed — and any dental practice can refer a patient to us for imaging alone, with the images back within 48 hours.

Published imaging fees

CBCT scan · Rayscan Alpha 3D

£100 single or dual arch, same price

OPG / panoramic X-ray

£50 per image

Refer a patient online Call 0131 228 2442

For Referring Dentists — How It Works

Imaging only. We take the images you request and nothing else — no examination, no treatment plan, no opinion offered to your patient. They remain entirely under your care and are discharged straight back to you.
Back within 48 hours. Images are sent to you within 48 hours of the appointment, in a format ready for your own software.
No reporting. Interpretation stays with you as the referring clinician. If you need a formal radiology report, that's arranged separately.
Justification. Please include the area of interest and the clinical reason on the referral so the exposure is justified before your patient arrives.
Payment, kept simple. In full before the appointment, or a 20% deposit beforehand (online link or phone) with the balance on the day — arranged with the patient, or with your practice if you'd prefer to cover it.
Prompt slots. Minimal waiting, evening appointments until 8pm Monday to Thursday, a short walk from Haymarket Station with parking in the building.

Open the referral form

What Each Scan Is For

CBCT — 3D cone-beam CT

A three-dimensional scan of the teeth, jaws and sinuses that can be viewed in slices from any angle. It's the standard for implant planning — measuring bone depth and locating nerves before surgery — and it's often used before complex extractions and wisdom-tooth removal, in root canal treatment to map canal anatomy, and to investigate pathology.

OPG — panoramic X-ray

A single flat image of the whole mouth in one sweep: every tooth, both jaws, the jaw joints and the sinuses. Quick and low-dose, it's the usual first look for wisdom teeth, a general overview of teeth that haven't come through, orthodontic assessment, and checking for problems that small X-rays can't show in one frame.

CBCT and OPG imaging room at City Dental Care, Edinburgh

For Patients — What to Expect

Both scans are painless and quick. For an OPG you stand at the machine and bite gently on a small rest while it rotates around your head. For a CBCT you sit or stand still for the scan itself, which takes a matter of seconds. You'll be asked to remove glasses, earrings and anything metal around the head and neck, and to tell us if you are or might be pregnant.

A CBCT uses more radiation than a small dental X-ray and considerably less than a hospital CT scan. That's why every scan needs a clinical reason from a dentist — we don't scan on request without one, and we only use the smallest field of view that answers the question.

If you've been told you need a scan, your own dentist can refer you to us using the form above, and the images go straight back to them. If you're a City Dental Care patient, your dentist arranges it as part of your care — often the same visit.

Why In-House Imaging Matters

For our own patients it means implants, surgical extractions and root canals are planned and treated under one roof, without a separate trip elsewhere for a scan. For referring colleagues it means a fast, predictable route for the scan they need, at a published price — and a patient who comes back to them. Read more about which scan suits which situation in our guide, CBCT vs OPG: which dental X-ray do you need?

Refer a Patient for Imaging Book as a Patient