Cone-Beam CT Radiation Dose Low for Most Non-Occupational Limits

No diagnostic image should be considered "routine": radiographs are prescribed and should be taken very seriously when ordered. Radiation should be used only when necessary for diagnosis. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images have great value in aiding diagnoses in the dental field because they allow us to see the patient and the area of interest in 3 dimensions.  Indications: I believe it is appropriate to use CBCT when our traditional imaging modalities do not allow us to view structures that are important for diagnosing the patient. For example, if orthodontic treatment is required for a patient and the stability of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) is in question, CBCT would be an appropriate imaging modality for the area. With CBCT, we could gain information about the TMJs that we would not be able to see with traditional panoramic images, which would include sagittal and coronal views. For the TMJ, we can also draw a line through the long axis of the joint and ask more...