CBCT technology for diagnosis and treatment planning: what general practitioners should consider.

The use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for diagnosis and treatment planning for a range of applications, including tooth removal, implant, endodontic, orthodontic, temporomandibular joint disorder, and obstructive airway cases, is well known. However, general practitioners should understand that beyond diagnosing fractures and tooth/root anomalies and assessing hard tissue before and after implant placement, this extraoral 3-dimensional (3-D) technology can be beneficial for performing more common diagnostic tasks, such as panoramic x-rays and bitewings. When used in place of intraoral sensors, it spares patients the discomfort of the rigid sensor. CBCT, which uses a fraction of the radiation dose of medical CT, can also be used to help clinicians create digital versions of their conventional impressions and poured models for digital transmission to other dental team members. For the growing number of practitioners who place implants, CBCT provides the ability to execute "top-down" treatment planning to offer patients restorative-based implant placement.