A recent study showed that reducing the patient’s radiation dose to 20% of the manufacturer’s recommended protocol did not degrade the quality of the CBCT image.
Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has revolutionized dentistry, providing detailed 3D images of the mouth and jaw. This technology is invaluable for diagnosing and treating a range of conditions, from temporomandibular joint disorders to implant planning. However, CBCT scans deliver a higher radiation dose compared to traditional X-rays, raising concerns about patient safety.
A recent study offers promising news. Researchers found that reducing the radiation dose to just 20% of the manufacturer’s recommended protocol did not compromise the diagnostic quality of CBCT images. This finding has significant implications for patient care, especially for children who are more susceptible to the effects of radiation.
“Many clinicians may be unaware that they can achieve excellent image quality with a significantly lower radiation dose,” explains Dr. Christina Hellen-Halme, a senior lecturer at Malmö University. “This study highlights the importance of optimizing CBCT protocols to minimize unnecessary radiation exposure.”
The study, which focused on CBCT imaging of the temporomandibular joint, involved 34 adult patients who underwent two separate scans: one using the standard manufacturer’s protocol and another with a reduced radiation dose. Radiologists analyzed both sets of images and found no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy.
This breakthrough underscores the need for dentists to carefully consider their CBCT scanning protocols. By reducing radiation doses without sacrificing image quality, dentists can ensure patient safety while still harnessing the power of this valuable diagnostic tool.
Key takeaways for dental professionals:
- Lower doses are effective: High-quality CBCT images can be obtained with significantly reduced radiation.
- Optimize protocols: Review and adjust your CBCT settings to minimize patient exposure.
- Prioritize patient safety: Especially when treating children, always consider the lowest effective radiation dose.
This revised version emphasizes the key message of the study while providing context and actionable advice for dental professionals. both low- and high-dose images produced diagnostically comparable results. Thus, the results suggest that high image quality is not necessary for all clinical situations and that dentists should reduce the recommended radiation dose to the patient, provided that this does not affect the diagnostic results. They noted that this is particularly important when treating young patients, who are at higher risk of radiographic exposure than adults because of the radiosensitivity of their developing tissues.
“With CBCT, we take images of the mouth and jaw from three angles – front, bottom and side; this is to be able to answer the question of a patient who comes in with a referral,” Dr. Christina Hellen-Halme, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Odontology at Malmö University, said in a press release. She further added that radiographic examinations are not a risk in themselves, but they should not be done without a good reason.
As the use of CBCT scans in dentistry is increasing, a recent study attempted to evaluate whether the high patient radiation dose often used in CBCT imaging is indeed necessary to ensure acceptable image quality.
“Many different scanning protocols are available, and sometimes clinicians’ desire for more or less silent images may increase the radiation dose to patients without adding more information to the specific purpose of the study,” the researchers explained.
In the study, 34 adult patients referred for CBCT imaging of the temporomandibular joint underwent two examinations using two scanning protocols: the manufacturer’s recommended protocol and a low-dose protocol in which the tube current was reduced to 20% of the recommended protocol. The researchers noted that the manufacturer’s recommended exposure parameters for CBCT scanners vary widely and may result in different radiation doses.
After evaluating the visibility of temporomandibular joint anatomical structures and image quality, the radiologists tasked with analyzing the images concluded that both low- and high-dose images produced diagnostically comparable results. Thus, the results suggest that high image quality is not necessary for all clinical situations and that dentists should reduce the recommended radiation dose to the patient, provided that this does not affect the diagnostic results. They noted that this is particularly important when treating young patients, who are at higher risk of radiographic exposure than adults because of the radiosensitivity of their developing tissues.
