CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) is one of the technologies that most changed dentistry: a three-dimensional map of teeth, bone and anatomy at much lower doses than medical CT. Precisely because it is powerful, it must be used judiciously.
The principle: justification
The European guidelines on dental radiology (the European Commission's SEDENTEXCT project) are clear: every radiological exam must be justified — prescribed only when the expected information changes diagnosis or treatment — and optimised, with the smallest possible field of view and dose. That is exactly our practice's protocol.
When 3D makes the difference
- Implantology: measuring bone volumes and distances from nerves and sinuses to the millimetre.
- Impacted teeth (canines, wisdom teeth): exact position and relationships with neighbouring roots.
- Surgical-orthodontic cases and temporomandibular joint assessments.
- Complex endodontics: unusual canal anatomies, resorptions.
When it is NOT needed
For a routine check-up, a suspected cavity or simple monitoring, very low-dose 2D exams (intraoral, panoramic) are enough. If an exam doesn't change clinical decisions, it isn't done: a safety rule, not a saving.
Our CBCT is in-house: no external waits, and Dr. Massimo Ferrara evaluates every prescription against the European justification criteria.
Sources
- European Commission, Radiation Protection No 172 — Cone Beam CT for Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology (SEDENTEXCT guidelines) — justification and optimisation criteria.
- WHO, Global Strategy and Action Plan on Oral Health 2023–2030 — access to appropriate diagnostics.