How do I finance a CBCT machine for my dental practice?

Why do dental practices finance a CBCT instead of paying cash?

A CBCT is one of the larger single purchases a practice makes, and paying cash can drain the reserve that covers payroll, supply orders and slow insurance weeks. Financing spreads the cost across the years the unit is used, so the practice keeps its cash cushion while the scanner starts supporting implant, endo and airway cases.

Picture a general practice that places a growing number of implants. Today it refers each patient to an imaging center, waits for the scan, and sometimes loses the case when the patient never books. Bringing cone beam imaging in-house shortens that path. The question is not whether the scanner is useful. It is whether the practice should tie up its cash to buy it.

For most owners, keeping cash available is worth the financing cost. A reserve protects the practice when a key hygienist leaves, a compressor fails or claims pay slowly. Financing also lets the payment line up with the period when the scanner actually produces value.

Paying cash can still make sense for a practice with a large reserve and no other planned investments. Compare the total financing cost against what that cash would otherwise do for the practice.

What can be included in CBCT financing?

The scanner itself is always the core of the agreement. Many funders also include installation, room preparation, imaging and planning software, training and sometimes a first-year service plan, as long as each item is itemized on the vendor quote. Some programs cap soft costs, so ask how much of the total quote can be covered.

A CBCT quote often has more lines than owners expect. Review each one:

• Hardware: the unit, field-of-view options, and any cephalometric arm.
• Room preparation: electrical work, mounting and shielding. Some of this is quoted by the vendor; some comes from your contractor.
• Software: viewing, implant planning and guided-surgery modules. One-time licenses can often be financed; annual subscriptions usually stay a monthly operating cost.
• Training: onsite sessions for doctors and staff.
• Service: warranty extensions or service contracts, which some programs include and others exclude.

If shielding or construction is billed by a contractor rather than the vendor, it may need to go in a separate renovation budget. See renovation financing for that side.

How long are CBCT financing terms, and what affects them?

Many funders typically offer multi-year terms matched to the equipment's useful life. Stronger files, meaning steady collections, good personal credit and manageable existing debt, tend to get the longest terms. New units usually get longer terms than refurbished units, and the amount of soft cost in the quote can also shorten or lengthen what a funder will offer.

A longer term lowers the monthly payment but usually increases total cost. A shorter term costs less overall but asks more from monthly cash flow. Questions to ask when comparing offers:

• What is the total repayment over the full term, including fees?
• Is there a prepayment penalty if the practice wants to finish early?
• Are early payments reduced or deferred, and what happens to the payment afterward?
• Is the agreement a loan you own from the start, or a lease with an end-of-term purchase option?

Some programs offer deferred or reduced early payments while the unit is installed and staff are trained. Availability depends on the funder and your profile, so treat it as something to ask about, not something to count on.

Should I finance a new or refurbished CBCT?

A refurbished CBCT can lower the purchase price, but it may come with shorter financing terms, a limited warranty and less certain software support. A new unit costs more but usually carries longer terms, current software and full service coverage. The right choice depends on how heavily you will use the scanner and how much downtime your schedule can absorb.

Many funders finance refurbished equipment from established dealers. Before choosing one, confirm:

• Whether the manufacturer still supports the model with software updates
• Who services the unit and how quickly a technician can arrive
• Whether the software license transfers to your practice
• What warranty the dealer provides

A cheaper scanner that sits unusable for a week while waiting on a part can cost more in cancelled cases than the price difference. For a broader view of equipment choices, read dental equipment financing.

How do I know if my practice can support a CBCT payment?

Start with current collections, not projected new cases. Funders underwrite on what the practice already earns, so the existing cash flow has to carry the new payment. Then estimate how many scans per month you would realistically take, and compare that with the cost of referring patients out today. If the math only works on optimistic volume, wait.

A simple exercise before applying:

1. List current monthly equipment and loan payments.
2. Add a rough CBCT payment from a quote or offer.
3. Compare the total with an average month of collections, not your best month.
4. Estimate realistic scan volume from implant, endo, extraction and airway cases you see now.

Specialists often reach steady volume faster. An oral surgery practice or periodontal or endodontic office may use a scanner daily, while a general practice may need to grow into it. Pricing also varies widely by field of view and features, so rely on current vendor quotes rather than published ranges.

What does the application process look like?

The process is usually short: submit a brief application, share recent bank statements and a collections summary, provide the vendor quote, then review offers on term, payment and total cost. After you sign, many equipment funders pay the vendor directly once delivery or installation is confirmed. Some approvals come within a day or two, depending on documents.

What typically helps a CBCT request move smoothly:

• A complete, itemized vendor quote
• Recent business bank statements
• A summary collections and production report, with totals only
• A list of existing equipment agreements

Never send patient images, charts or reports with patient names. Funders need financial documents only. When you are ready, start a short application and SmileBright Capital will help you compare options from our funding partners. The how it works page explains each step.

Updated September 14, 2026 · SmileBright Capital Funding Team