title: Objective and subjective image evaluation of maxillary alveolar bone based on cone beam computed tomography exposure parameters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to optimize the exposure parameters for cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for performing diagnostic imaging of maxillary alveolar bone.
  
  
  METHODS
  CBCT (Promax 3 D Max) was performed on a frozen human cadaver head. Image homogeneity and the degree of alveolar bone contrast were determined by objective assessment using ImageJ software and subjective assessment by orthodontists and oral radiologists. Kruskal-Wallis tests and interrater agreement were used to compare results across groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Image homogeneity and degree of alveolar bone contrast differed significantly among all exposure protocols (P < .001). Intraclass correlation values ranged from 0.681 to 0.779, with orthodontists having higher values compared with oral radiologists. Average of image quality scores between protocols were statistically significant (P < .001) and ranged from "fair" to "good."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is great potential to reduce CBCT radiation doses for maxillary alveolar bone while maintaining adequate image quality for diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address: pollyanamdemoura@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pollyana Marques
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: de Moura
authors.affiliation: Children's Medical Center, Analytical Imaging and Modeling (AIM) Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Rami R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Hallac
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Plastic Surgery Department, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Seaward
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Plastic Surgery Department, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Alex A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aguiar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ronir
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raggio
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gutfilen
mesh_terms: D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002102:Cadaver; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012984:Software