BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW:

The American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs (CSA) promotes safe use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and appropriate professional justification of CBCT imaging procedures. The CSA reviewed the current research literature to develop collaborative guidance regarding the use of CBCT in dentistry with input from a broad group of stakeholder organizations. The Council’s principles for CBCT safety may be applied to any number of potential dental CBCT imaging applications.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS:

As with other radiographic modalities, CBCT imaging should be used only after a review of the patient’s health and imaging history and the completion of a thorough clinical examination. Dental practitioners should prescribe CBCT imaging only when they expect that the diagnostic yield will benefit patient care, enhance patient safety or improve clinical outcomes significantly.