Dental imaging — fast facts

Dental imaging at a radiology practice: OPG, lateral ceph, CBCT, and dental CT. Quick reference for booking and billing questions on the phone.

Scan types

• OPG (orthopantomogram): Panoramic x-ray of upper and lower jaw plus teeth. Used for fractures (esp. mandible), TMJ dislocation, infection, dentition review.
• Lateral ceph: Single-side precision head x-ray taken on the OPG unit. Almost always orthodontic treatment planning — often booked with an OPG.
• CBCT (cone beam CT): 3D dental imaging. Lower dose than standard CT, higher detail. Main driver is dental implant planning; also pre-surgical, TMJ, sinuses, nerve canals.
• Dental CT (CT Dentascan): Targeted CT of upper/lower jaws with reformatted images. Used where CBCT is unavailable — CBCT is the preferred modality.

Key facts

• OPG scan time: ~15–20 seconds of rotation around the head
• OPG / Lat Ceph: Walk-in at Mill Park and Essendon (the two sites that offer dental imaging) — check local site preferences
• CBCT: Mill Park and Essendon only, pre-booking required
• Dental CT: Available at most sites that offer CT — check local "can-do" list first

Referral requirements

Medicare eligibility splits sharply by scan and referrer:

• OPG & Lat Ceph: GPs, dentists, dental specialists, specialists, consultant physicians — all can refer for rebate
• CBCT & Dental CT (Medicare-rebated): Only oral & maxillofacial surgeons, prosthodontists, and dental specialists (periodontists, endodontists, pedodontists, orthodontists)
• Dentists and GPs cannot refer CBCT or Dental CT for rebate — patient pays full out-of-pocket

Bulk-billing

Patient prep

Patient prep

• •No fasting or special preparation
• •Remove all jewellery from the facial area (earrings, nose rings, facial piercings)
• •Remove removable dental plates / dentures before imaging
• •Glasses and hearing aids off in the room

MBS codes