Dental cone beam computed tomography is a medical imaging technique that combines X-ray computed tomography with divergent X-rays. It is often used in situations where standard dental or facial X-rays are insufficient. CBCT is a radiographic imaging technique that provides precise three-dimensional imaging of hard tissues. During maxillofacial dose, the radiation exposure from this type of scanner is ten times lower than that of a CT scan. In a single scan, a CBCT scanner uses specialized technology to produce three-dimensional (3-D) images of dental structures, nerve pathways, soft tissues, and bones in the facial region.
A cone-shaped X-ray beam is rotated around the patient to create a large number of images with CBCT. The dental cone beam CT scan was created to produce identical images at a lower cost. The term “basis” images refer to a single projection image.
The scan produces accurate images of the bones and is primarily used to examine the dentition, teeth, bony structures of the face, nasal cavity, and sinuses. However, unlike traditional CT scans, CBCT scans do not provide complete diagnostic information, especially in the evaluation of soft tissue structures such as muscles, lymph nodes, glands, and nerves. With the increasing usability of this technology, the dental clinician now has an imaging modality that can be used to create a 3-D image of the maxillofacial structures while posing minimal radiation risks.