ADA Guidelines Emphasize Safety, Prudent Use of CBCT

The American Dental Association has issued practice guidelines regarding safe and appropriate use of cone-beam CT (CBCT) in dentistry.  History & Exam First: CBCT imaging should be used only after a review of the patient’s health and imaging history and after a complete examination of the patient.  Costs vs Benefits: The benefits of using CBCT should outweigh the risks. CBCT images should not be used for screening purposes. Additional considerations should also be made for children, who are more sensitive to ionizing radiation.  Diagnostic Yield: CBCT should be used only when the practitioner believes that the diagnostic yield will benefit patient care, enhance safety, and improve clinical outcomes. CBCT should also be used as an adjunct to standard modalities. However, it may replace conventional 2D imaging (cephalometric and panoramic images) when appropriate and when structures of interest may not be captured in those conventional images.  Radiation Exposur more...