Endodontic applications of cone-beam volumetric tomography.
The ability to assess an area of interest in 3 dimensions might benefit both novice and experienced clinicians alike. High-resolution limited cone-beam volumetric tomography (CBVT) has been designed for dental applications. As opposed to sliced-image data of conventional computed tomography (CT) imaging, CBVT captures a cylindrical volume of data in one acquisition and thus offers distinct advantages over conventional medical CT. These advantages include increased accuracy, higher resolution, scan-time reduction, and dose reduction. Specific endodontic applications of CBVT are being identified as the technology becomes more prevalent. CBVT has great potential to become a valuable tool in the modern endodontic practice. The objectives of this article are to briefly review cone-beam technology and its advantages over medical CT and conventional radiography, to illustrate current and future clinical applications of cone-beam technology in endodontic practice, and to discuss medicolegal considerations pertaining to the acquisition and interpretation of 3-dimensional data.
Cotton
Taylor P
TP
Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. cottont@uthscsa.edu
Geisler
Todd M
TM
Holden
David T
DT
Schwartz
Scott A
SA
Schindler
William G
WG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015921:Dental Implants; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003794:Dental Restoration, Temporary / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000209:etiology; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000628:therapy; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D019233:Retreatment; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014091:Tooth Resorption / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014098:Toothache / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
D015921:Dental Implants