Indications for cone beam computed tomography in children and young patients in a Turkish subpopulation

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging is widely used in children; however, it remains controversial because of the health effects of radiation.

This retrospective study investigated the indications for CBCT and dentomaxillofacial pathologies in paediatric patients.

CBCT images of 329 paediatric patients (i.e., aged <18 years) were investigated retrospectively. CBCT images were obtained with five fields of view (FOV). CBCT indications were categorised as surgery and orthodontics. The effects of age, sex, and FOV were evaluated. The level of significance was P = 0.05.

The most common orthodontic indications were malocclusion and dentomaxillofacial anomalies (38.5%), followed by the localisation of impacted teeth (33.1%). There was no relationship between sex and indications. There were significant associations between age groups and malocclusion and dentomaxillofacial anomalies, localisation of impacted teeth, and trauma. The face was the most frequently imaged region, followed by the jaws (maxilla and mandible).

The most common indication for CBCT was malocclusion and dentomaxillofacial anomalies in the primary and permanent dentition age groups, whereas the localisation of impacted teeth was the most common indication in the mixed dentition age group. Generally, CBCT was indicated in orthodontics and surgery.