Before the scan, you may be asked to avoid calcium supplements for 24 hours, and wear loose, comfortable clothing without metal buttons or zippers. During the procedure, you will lie on a padded table while a low-dose X-ray beam passes over your bones. You will need to remain still for a few minutes to capture accurate images. The procedure is quick, painless, and usually takes 10–15 minutes. Bone densitometry uses very low radiation and is considered safe for most patients.