title: The impact of cone beam computed tomography on the choice of endodontic diagnosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the outcome of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations performed in accordance with the European Commission guidelines in a clinical setting has an impact on choosing diagnoses in endodontics.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational study was conducted. Fifty-three consecutive patients (81 teeth) from two different endodontic specialist clinics in Sweden were followed. After performing a thorough clinical examination (based on the history, clinical findings, and diagnostic tests such as intra-oral radiography), the examiner wrote down a preliminary diagnosis before CBCT examination. After the CBCT examination, a new diagnosis was made by the same examiner. Both the pre- and the post-CBCT examination diagnoses were plotted according to patients and teeth. The CBCT examinations were performed using similar equipment and protocols that were standardized amongst the clinics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diagnoses were changed for at least one tooth in 22 patients (41%); overall, the diagnoses were changed for 28 teeth (35%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBCT has a substantial impact on diagnostic thinking in endodontics when used in accordance with the European Commission guidelines.
authors: Department of Endodontics, Tandvårdens Kompetenscentrum, Norrbottens County Counci, Luleå, Sweden.|Department of Oral-and-Maxillofacial Radiology, Odontologiska fakulteten, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors: F J
authors: FJ
authors: Mota de Almeida
authors: Department of Oral-and-Maxillofacial Radiology, Odontologiska fakulteten, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Knutsson
authors: Department of Radiation Sciences, Diagnostic Radiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Flygare
mesh_terms: D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003657:Decision Making; D004708:Endodontics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010808:Physical Examination; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013548:Sweden; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: cone beam computed tomography; decision making; diagnosis; endodontics