Dental Radiography
The use of cone-beam computed tomography in dentistry: An advisory statement from the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs

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ABSTRACT

Background and Overview

The American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs (CSA) promotes safe use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and appropriate professional justification of CBCT imaging procedures. The CSA reviewed the current research literature to develop collaborative guidance regarding the use of CBCT in dentistry with input from a broad group of stakeholder organizations. The Council’s principles for CBCT safety may be applied to any number of potential dental CBCT imaging applications.

Practice Implications

As with other radiographic modalities, CBCT imaging should be used only after a review of the patient’s health and imaging history and the completion of a thorough clinical examination. Dental practitioners should prescribe CBCT imaging only when they expect that the diagnostic yield will benefit patient care, enhance patient safety or improve clinical outcomes significantly.

Section snippets

PRINCIPLES FOR THE SAFE USE OF DENTAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL CONE-BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

The Council recommends adherence to the following principles for the safe and appropriate use of CBCT in clinical practice.

  • As with other radiographic modalities, CBCT imaging should be used only after a review of the patient’s health and imaging history and completion of a thorough clinical examination.

  • In accordance with the National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements’10 (NCRP’s) Report No. 145 and standard selection criteria for dental radiographs,11 clinicians should perform

SUMMARY

CBCT technologies offer an advanced point-of-care imaging modality that clinicians should use selectively as an adjunct to conventional dental radiography. The selection of CBCT for dental and maxillofacial imaging should be based on professional judgment in accordance with the best available scientific evidence, weighing potential patient benefits against the risks associated with the level of radiation dose. Clinicians must apply the ALARA principle in protecting patients and staff during the

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Disclosure. Members of the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs (CSA) are required to maintain a current conflict-of-interest disclosure to participate in CSA activities. No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this statement were reported.

The American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs gratefully acknowledges Dr. John Ludlow, professor, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Dr. Sharon Brooks, professor emerita, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, for their assistance in finalizing this advisory statement. The ADA expresses its appreciation to the following organizations for their significant contributions to the statement: the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology; the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology; the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; the American Academy of Periodontology; the American Association of Endodontists; the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; the American Association of Orthodontists; the American Association of Physicists in Medicine; the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors; the National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements; and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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