Orthodontists using cone-beam CT (CBCT) exhibited greater confidencein making pretreatment diagnosis and treatment planning decisions,according to a recent presentation by researchers at UCLA at the American Association for Dental Research annual meeting in Tampa, Fla.
The researchers, according to an articleon DrBicuspid.com, had 23 practicing orthodontists evaluate six patientcases with a range of orthodontic problems, including crowding, severeskeletal asymmetry, temporomandibular disorder, and impactions. Afterreviewing patient histories, study models, photos, and radiographs, theorthodontists provided a hypothetical diagnosis and treatment plan andassociated confidence (0% to 100%). They then evaluated CBCT scans forthese patients and noted changes, enhancements, or confirmations to theoriginal diagnosis and treatment plan.
Of 137 total diagnoses, a CBCT scan was requested 58 times, resultingin 22 diagnostic changes and 23 treatment plan changes. After review ofthe CBCT scans, initial diagnostic and treatment-plan confidenceincreased from 85% to 93% and 83% to 92% respectively (p < 0.5).
