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Cone Beam Computed Tomographic imaging in orthodontics
Author(s) -
Scarfe WC,
Azevedo B,
Toghyani S,
Farman AG
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
australian dental journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1834-7819
pISSN - 0045-0421
DOI - 10.1111/adj.12479
Subject(s) - medicine , cone beam computed tomography , radiography , radiation treatment planning , computed tomographic , medical physics , clinical practice , radiation dose , medical imaging , orthodontics , computed tomography , radiology , radiation therapy , nuclear medicine , family medicine
Over the last 15 years, cone beam computed tomographic ( CBCT ) imaging has emerged as an important supplemental radiographic technique for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, especially in situations which require an understanding of the complex anatomic relationships and surrounding structures of the maxillofacial skeleton. CBCT imaging provides unique features and advantages to enhance orthodontic practice over conventional extraoral radiographic imaging. While it is the responsibility of each practitioner to make a decision, in tandem with the patient/family, consensus‐derived, evidence‐based clinical guidelines are available to assist the clinician in the decision‐making process. Specific recommendations provide selection guidance based on variables such as phase of treatment, clinically‐assessed treatment difficulty, the presence of dental and/or skeletal modifying conditions, and pathology. CBCT imaging in orthodontics should always be considered wisely as children have conservatively, on average, a three to five times greater radiation risk compared with adults for the same exposure. The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the operation of CBCT equipment as it relates to image quality and dose, highlight the benefits of the technique in orthodontic practice, and provide guidance on appropriate clinical use with respect to radiation dose and relative risk, particularly for the paediatric patient.