Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) can be a useful adjunct to conventional plain film radiography, but its use must be carefully justified as the radiation dose is generally higher. Factors affecting the dose include the field of view (FOV) size, the exposure factors, the angle of rotation and voxel size. Once justified, the exposure should be fully optimised to ensure the dose to the patient is kept as low as possible while ensuring there is no reduction in the diagnostic yield. The European Commission (EC) and the Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP)(UK) have published selection criteria on the use of CBCT in dentistry. This article provides an overview of CBCT and summarises the latest guidance on selection criteria relevant to the general dental practitioner.
HornerK, EatonKA (Eds). Selection Criteria for Dental Radiography. 3rd Edition. London: Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK); 2018.
2.
PanmekiateS, ApinhasmitW, PeterssonA.Effect of electric potential and current on mandibular linear measurements in cone beam CT. Dentomaxillofac Radiol2012;41:578–82.
3.
PauwelsR, SeynaeveL, HenriquesJC, de Oliveira-SantosC, SouzaPC, WestphalenFH. Optimization of dental CBCT exposures through mAs reduction. Dentomaxillofac Radiol2015;20:20150108.
4.
GoulstonR, DaviesJ, HornerK, MurphyF.Dose optimization by altering the operating potential and tube current exposure time product in dental cone beam CT: a systematic review. Dentomaxillofac Radiol2016;45:20150254.
5.
DawoodA, BrownJ, Sauret-JacksonV, PurkayasthaS.Optimization of cone beam CT exposure for pre-surgical evaluation of the implant site. Dentomaxillofac Radiol2012;41:70–4.
6.
NevesFS, VasconcelosTV, CamposPS, Haiter-NetoF, FreitasDQ.Influence of scan mode (180°/360°) of the cone beam computed tomography for preoperative dental implant measurements. Clin Oral Implants Res2014;25:e155–8.
7.
LennonS, PatelS, FoschiF, WilsonR, DaviesJ, MannocciF.Diagnostic accuracy of limited-volume cone-beam computed tomography in the detection of periapical bone loss: 360° scans versus 180° scans. Int Endod J2011;44:1118–27.
8.
Lofthag-HansenS, Thilander-KlangA, GröndahlK.Evaluation of subjective image quality in relation to diagnostic task for cone beam computed tomography with different fields of view. Eur J Radiol2011;80:483–8.
9.
Spin-NetoR, GotfredsenE, WenzelA.Impact of voxel size variation on CBCT-based diagnostic outcome in dentistry: a systematic review. J Digit Imaging2013;26:813–20.
10.
HPA Working Party on Dental Cone Beam CT Equipment.Guidance notes for dental practitioners on the safe use of dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) equipment. HPA-CRCE-010. Chilton; HPA: 2010.
11.
BrownJ, JacobsR, LevringJäghagen E, . Basic training requirements for the use of dental CBCT by dentists: a position paper prepared by the European Academy of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology. Dentomaxillofac Radiol2014;43:20130291.
European Society of Endodontology Patel S, DurackC, AbellaF, RoigM, ShemeshH, LambrechtsP, . European Society of Endodontology position statement: the use of CBCT in endodontics. Int Endod J2014;47:502–4.
16.
AAE and AAOMR Joint Position Statement: Use of Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Endodontics 2015 Update.J Endod2015;41:1393–6.
17.
PetersenLB, VaethM, WenzelA.Neurosensoric disturbances after surgical removal of the mandibular third molar based on either panoramic imaging or conebeam CT scanning: A randomized controlled trial (RCT). Dentomaxillofac Radiol2016;45:20150224.
18.
GhaeminiaH, GerlachNL, HoppenreijsTJ, KickenM, DingsJP, BorstlapWA, . Clinical relevance of cone beam computed tomography in mandibular third molar removal: A multicentre, randomised, controlled trial. J Craniomaxillofac Surg2015;43:2158–67.
19.
GuerreroME, BotetanoR, BeltranJ, HornerK, JacobsR.Can preoperative imaging help to predict postoperative outcome after wisdom tooth removal? A randomized controlled trial using panoramic radiography versus cone-beam CT. Clin Oral Investig2014;18:335–42.
20.
HarrisD, HornerK, GröndahlK, JacobsR, HelmrotE, BenicGl, . E.A.O. guidelines for the use of diagnostic imaging in implant dentistry 2011. A consensus workshop organized by the European Association for Osseointegration at the Medical University of Warsaw. Clin Oral Implants Res2012;23:1243–53.
21.
TyndallDA, PriceJB, TetradisS, GanzSD, HildeboltC, ScarfeWC; American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology. Position statement of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology on selection criteria for the use of radiology in dental implantology with emphasis on cone beam computed tomography. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol2012;113:817–26.
