Effects of tube current on cone-beam computerized tomography image quality for presurgical implant planning in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of tube current reduction on the quality of cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) images of the maxilla and mandible for presurgical implant planning.


METHODS
Six cadaver heads were imaged with a CBCT (3D Accuitomo) operated at 80 kVp and variable tube current (8, 4, 2, or 1 mA) in full-scan mode. For the posterior region of maxilla and mandible, half-scans were also performed at similar settings. The images were evaluated independently by 5 oral radiologists for 15 anatomic landmarks regarding presurgical implant planning. The quality of images were compared with their respective reference images at 8 mA and ranked on a 4-point rating scale as excellent, good, fair, or nondiagnostic. The scores of all observers were averaged for each landmark at every exposure condition, and Bonferroni test (P<.05) was performed.


RESULTS
The 4 mA images at full-scan mode could visualize each landmark of maxilla and mandible and were evaluated to be the same or almost equivalent in quality as the 8 mA images. Even 2 mA images in full-scan mode and 4 mA in half-scan mode could be used for implant planning. The 1 mA images were unacceptable owing to the substantial degradation in image quality.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant dose reduction can be achieved by reducing tube current without substantial loss of image quality for presurgical implant planning in CBCT.
Sur
Jaideep
J
Department of Radiology, Showa University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan.
Seki
Kenji
K
Koizumi
Hiroshi
H
Nakajima
Koh
K
Okano
Tomohiro
T
D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000295:instrumentation