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Smarter Imaging. Quicker Diagnoses. Less Guesswork.

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We know most people don’t give dental X-rays much thought—but they’re a big deal on our end. Getting the right picture, at the right time, can make a world of difference in diagnosing a problem early or planning a complex treatment like implants or wisdom tooth removal.

That’s why all of our Sundial Dental clinics—Port Macquarie, Taree, Wauchope, and Laurieton—use low-dose 3D cone beam imaging technology (often called CBCT). We’ve been using this for years now because, quite simply, it works better. It’s faster, more accurate, and helps us make better decisions with fewer appointments.

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If you’ve never heard of 3D dental imaging before, here’s what you need to know.

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What Is 3D Cone Beam X-Ray Imaging?

 

You’ve probably had a regular dental X-ray before—those little bitewing films or panoramic scans. 3D cone beam X-rays are a different ballgame. They give us a complete, three-dimensional view of your teeth, jawbone, sinuses, nerves, and more in just seconds. It’s not just a snapshot—it’s like having a digital map of your whole mouth and jaw.

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At Sundial Dental, we use the Sirona Galileos® 3D system. It’s one of the safest and most accurate systems available and helps us spot things that regular X-rays often miss—like cysts, infections, cracked roots, or bone quality before dental implants.

The best part? The scan takes less than 15 seconds and uses lower radiation than a typical day at the beach. 

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Why We Use It (and Why You Should Care)

 

Let’s say you’ve got some vague jaw pain or an old root canal that’s bothering you again. A standard X-ray might give us part of the story, but a 3D scan can show us exactly what’s going on—whether it’s a hidden crack, a cyst, or just some inflamed tissue.

Here’s how 3D X-rays make your experience better:

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• Faster diagnosis: No more waiting around for film or second-guessing what we’re seeing

• More accurate treatment planning: Especially for implants, extractions, and tricky root canals

• Fewer surprises during surgery: We can see exactly where nerves and sinus spaces are

• Earlier detection of problems: Spotting small infections or bone loss before they get serious

• Better long-term outcomes: When we know more, we can do better work—and you get better results

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We use this across all our locations—whether you’re visiting our Port Macquarie clinic just off Gordon Street, down in Taree near Victoria Street, or over in Wauchope or Laurieton. It’s not just for big cases—it’s become part of our everyday toolkit because of how helpful it is.

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Especially Helpful for Implant Patients

 

If you’re thinking about dental implants, 3D imaging isn’t optional—it’s essential. It lets us measure bone density, check how close we are to nerves or sinuses, and even digitally plan your implant placement before we touch anything in your mouth.

We’ve placed a lot of implants over the years here on the Mid North Coast, and this technology is one of the reasons why our success rates are so high. It’s precise, reliable, and gives both you and us more confidence.

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Even if you’ve been told you might not have enough bone for implants, a quick 3D scan can often reveal that you’re actually a candidate—with the right planning.

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Real Local Use Cases

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We recently had a patient from Lake Cathie come into our Laurieton clinic complaining of a dull ache around a back tooth that had been root-treated years ago. Nothing showed up on a regular X-ray, but the 3D scan caught a hidden abscess at the tip of the root—something that would have gone unnoticed until it got worse.

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In Wauchope, we used 3D imaging to plan a tricky extraction for a young adult whose wisdom teeth were close to a major nerve. Thanks to the scan, we were able to avoid nerve contact entirely—and recovery was a breeze.

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FAQs – 3D X-Rays at Sundial Dental

 

Does a 3D dental X-ray hurt?
Not at all. You just stand still while the scanner rotates around your head—it’s over in under 15 seconds.

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Is the radiation from 3D X-rays safe?
Yes. Our Sirona Galileos system uses a very low dose—less than what you'd get from a walk on the beach or a short domestic flight.

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How much does a 3D scan cost in Port Macquarie or Taree?
We’ll always be upfront about costs. Typically, a 3D scan costs between $140–$180, and it’s often included in your implant or surgical planning. We'll let you know if it’s needed—and if your health fund may cover it.

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Do I need one every time I visit?
No—only when we need a more detailed look. That might be for implants, root canals, jaw pain, extractions, or checking for infections that don’t show on normal X-rays.

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Will I get a copy of the scan?
Yes—just ask. We’re happy to share the digital file or walk you through the results on screen during your visit.

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Ready to Book or Learn More?

If you’ve been dealing with ongoing dental issues or you're thinking about getting dental implants, a 3D scan might be the next step toward getting real answers. It’s quick, safe, and available at all four of our Sundial Dental clinics across the Mid North Coast.

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📍 Port Macquarie 📍 Taree 📍 Wauchope 📍 Laurieton 

📞 Call us now: tel: 0265852015 – we'll direct you to your nearest clinic.

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