Preparing for a Dental Implant Scan & Surgical Guide
By Dr. 2, [Full Name], [Qualification] · Reviewed 12 August 2026
If your dentist has recommended a dental implant, the next step is usually a CBCT scan and a digital impression — together, these become the blueprint for a 3D-printed surgical guide that positions your implant exactly where it was planned.
Step 1: The CBCT scan
A 3D CBCT scan maps the bone volume, density and nerve position at your implant site. This tells your dentist exactly how much bone is available and where sensitive structures like the inferior alveolar nerve or sinus floor are located — critical information for planning a safe, precise implant position.
Step 2: The digital impression
An intraoral scan captures a precise digital model of your teeth and bite. Combined with the CBCT data, this lets your dentist see not just where the implant can safely go, but where it should go to support a natural-looking, functional final restoration.
Step 3: Virtual planning
Our radiologist and your dentist review the combined data and plan the implant's exact depth, angle and position on screen before any surgery happens — catching potential issues early, well before the day of the procedure.
Step 4: The surgical guide
Once the plan is finalized, we 3D-print a surgical guide — a custom template that fits over your teeth and directs the drill to the exact planned position. This typically takes 3–5 working days from your scans to a delivered guide.
What to expect on scan day
No special preparation is needed for either the CBCT scan or the digital impression — remove removable metal appliances beforehand, and expect the full appointment to take around 20–30 minutes for both scans combined.
Related: Learn about implant surgical guides · Learn about 3D CBCT · Read our full FAQ