CBCT and the Orthodontic Patient

By William C. Scarfe, BDS, FRACDS, MS, Lucas Rodrigues Pinheiro, DDS, Allan G. Farman, BDS, LDSRCS, PhD(odont), DSc(odont), EdS, MBA

The use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the dental setting offers low-cost, in-office diagnostic imaging technology capable of demonstrating three-dimensional (3D) dental and skeletal relationships, which far exceed the maxillofacial assessment capabilities of two-dimensional (2D), or traditional, radiography. In orthodontics, imaging data are integral to the clinical diagnosis of skeletal and dental conditions, soft tissues, and their inter-relationships. Increasingly, dental hygienists will be involved in educating patients about the need for CBCT examination, obtaining consent, and taking CBCT scans. This article outlines the role of CBCT imaging in orthodontics, including its advantages. The final installment of this series will discuss specific indications for CBCT in orthodontics, and will appear in a future issue.

* References can be found in the original article via the link below.
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