How CBCT Protocol Differences Affect Interpretation Outcomes in Dental Implantology
Abstract
Background
Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is essential in dental implantology, but concerns about ionizing radiation exposure necessitate evaluation of low-dose protocols to ensure diagnostic accuracy. Limited data exist on how different CBCT protocols, particularly low-dose protocols, impact measurement reliability in dental implant planning.
Objective
To assess whether different CBCT radiation doses and field of view (FOV) protocols, including low-dose protocols, affect the diagnostic accuracy of measurements for dental implantology.
Methods
Three dry human skulls were imaged using the AUGE SOLIO CBCT device (ASAHIROENTGEN IND.CO., LTD, Japan) with two FOVs (161×100 mm and 51×55 mm) and high- and low-dose protocols. Four anatomical distances (L1-L4) relevant to dental implantology were measured by two oral medicine specialists using OnDemand3D software. Visual perception and diagnostic impact were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using a T-test (p<0.05).
Results
No statistically significant differences were found in measurements across different doses and FOVs (p>0.05) or between examiners in the same protocol (p>0.05). A slight decrease in visual perception was noted in the low-dose protocol (A-mode), but it remained sufficient for diagnosis without compromising accuracy.
Conclusions
Low-dose CBCT protocols provide comparable measurement accuracy to high-dose protocols for dental implant planning, supporting their use to minimize radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic quality. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings.
Contributor Notes
Lazar Kats: lazarkat@tauex.tau.ac.il Ronen Mogilner: mog.ron.dmd@gmail.com Marilena Vered: mvered@tauex.tau.ac.il Shoshana Reiter: shoshana.reiter@gmail.com Yuli Goldman: yulig76@yahoo.com Evgeny Weinberg: evgenywein@gmail.com Oleg Levinzon :Olevinzon@gmail.com