Cone-beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is a 3D imaging modality used in dentistry. It is one of the biggest revolutions that dentistry has ever witnessed. The ability to view the third dimension along with excellent geometric accuracy is a boon to dentistry. It overcomes all the inherent disadvantages of 2D radiographs such as magnification, superimposition. It finds its use in almost every specialization.
Some of the many uses that it finds are for implant purposes (pre-implant planning, fabrication of surgical guides using dcm files, post-implant assessment), endododontic cases (to evaluate for present of extra roots or root canals, calcified canals, root fractures, perforation, etc.). An orthodontist may advice a CBCT scan for facial asymmetry cases, to evaluate the TMJ or to evaluate the jaws for any impacted teeth. The decision of extracting or retracting an impacted tooth can be made after assessing the position of the same in the jaws. The prognosis and treatment plan for a periodontally compromised tooth can be decided based on the scan findings. Based on the radiologic findings of a jaw lesion, a radiologic impression with differential diagnosis can be obtained. This can guide the initial treatment plan for the patient. The maxillofacial surgeon may advice for a CBCT to evaluate the position of an impacted tooth or to guide the initial treatment plan before surgical intervention. CBCT has found its way even into forensic odontology. Research using CBCT is yet to pick up.
We are in the right phase now, with so many things still left to be explored in the field of maxillofacial radiology and with the advent of CBCT, this has become much more exciting! So all of you out there, come, let us start looking at the world of dentistry through the eyes of the Cone-Beam CT…
Dental Radiology Solution 