When Is the Best Time to Buy a Dental CBCT or X-ray Machine?

Purchasing a dental CBCT or digital X-ray system is a significant investment, and timing your purchase strategically can save your practice thousands of dollars. Whether you're launching a new office, expanding, or upgrading your imaging capabilities, understanding seasonal trends, tax advantages, and inventory cycles can help you make the smartest move.

Here are the top factors to consider when deciding when to buy.

1. 📆 End of Year: Maximize Section 179 Tax Deduction

October through December is hands-down the most popular time of year for doctors to buy dental imaging equipment—and for good reason.

Why?

• The IRS Section 179 deduction allows practices to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying dental equipment in the year it’s placed into service.

• That means even used CBCT or X-ray machines (like those from Renew Digital) can be written off—up to $1,220,000 in 2024.

✅ Tip: The equipment must be installed and operational by December 31 to qualify, so plan early for shipping and setup.

2. Q1 and Q2: Smart for Start-Ups and Expansion

For new practices or satellite offices, Q1 and Q2 (January–June) are ideal planning and purchasing windows.

Why?

• It allows you to take advantage of new-year financing programs.

• Lenders tend to approve more capital projects early in the year when budgets reset.

• Gives you plenty of runway to install, train, and start generating revenue before year-end tax deadlines.

3. Mid-Year: Take Advantage of Inventory Cycles

Around June through August, imaging dealers like Renew Digital often experience a spike in trade-ins and refreshed inventory.

Why?

• Many practices upgrade equipment mid-year to prepare for back-to-school marketing pushes or before summer construction wraps up.

• This can be a great time to find lightly used or low-exposure CBCT systems and 2D pan/ceph units at discounted rates.

✅ Tip: Ask about "new old stock" or refurbished models with low scan counts. You’ll get newer technology at a used price.

4. Quarter-End Deals: Save with Dealer Promotions

Many dental equipment resellers and dealers offer quarter-end promotions to hit sales targets. These typically run in:

• March

• June

• September

• December

Look For:

• Discounted install and training

• Extended warranties

• Free accessories like patient positioning aids or extra software licenses

Dealers like Renew Digital often include installation, training, warranty, and remote support in their pricing—so a quarter-end deal can stretch your investment even further.

5. Bonus: Buying Used? Your Timing Is Even More Flexible

Unlike new equipment tied to manufacturer production cycles, certified pre-owned imaging allows more year-round flexibility. But it's still wise to act fast when you see:

• Low-use models (CBCTs with fewer exposures)

• Rare configurations (e.g., ceph upgrade options)

• High-demand models (like Planmeca ProMax or Carestream CS 8100 3D)

Inventory changes daily, so the best time to buy a used CBCT is often “when you see the right one.”

✅ Final Thoughts: Plan with Purpose, Buy with Confidence

Whether you're planning a major expansion, a simple upgrade, or launching your dream practice, timing your purchase can result in better pricing, better inventory, and bigger tax deductions.

📞 Ready to explore your options? Talk to a knowledgeable expert at Renew Digital. With one of the largest inventories of certified pre-owned CBCT and X-ray equipment in the U.S., and all-inclusive pricing that covers installation, training, warranty, and support, they’ll help you find the right system—at the right time—for your practice and your budget.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t wait until December to start thinking about Section 179. Contact your CPA and Renew Digital by October to ensure installation deadlines are met.

✅ Ready to Save on Dental Imaging? Partner with Renew Digital

Whether you're expanding your practice, upgrading your tech, or starting fresh—Renew Digital can help you get the high-performance dental CBCT or panoramic X-ray system you need at up to 50% off new retail prices. All systems are certified pre-owned, include installation, training, warranty, and unmatched U.S.-based support—so you can buy with confidence.

🦷 Explore top brands like Planmeca, Carestream, Sirona, Vatech, Gendex, and more—available for a fraction of the cost of new.

📞 Contact Renew Digital today for a free consultation and quote. Let’s find the right imaging solution for your clinical needs and your budget—before year-end tax deadlines hit!

👉 Visit RenewDigital.com or call (888) 246-5611 to get started.