title: Comparative study of jaws with multislice computed tomography and cone-beam computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the dosimetric and diagnostic performance of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the study of the dental arches.
  
  
  METHODS
  Effective dose and dose to the main organs of the head and neck were evaluated by means of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) placed in an Alderson Rando anthropomorphic phantom and using a standard CBCT protocol and an optimised MSCT protocol. Five patients with occlusal plane ranging from 54 cm to 59 cm who needed close follow-up (range 1-3 months) underwent both examinations. Image quality obtained with CBCT and MSCT was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Effective dose and dose to the main organs of the head and neck were higher for MSCT than for CBCT. Image quality of CBCT was judged to be equivalent to that of MSCT for visualising teeth and bone but inferior for visualising soft tissues. Beam-hardening artefacts due to dental-care material and implants were weaker at CBCT than at MSCT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When panoramic radiography is not sufficient in the study of the teeth and jaw bones, CBCT can provide identical information to MSCT, with a considerable dose reduction. MSCT is, however, indicated when evaluation of soft tissue is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Insubria, Viale Borri 57, 21100, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carrafiello
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dizonno
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Colli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Strocchi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pozzi Taubert
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leonardi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giorgianni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barresi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macchi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bracchi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fugazzola
mesh_terms: D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006257:Head / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D009333:Neck / Q000528:radiation effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed