Do we need CBCTs for sufficient diagnostics?-dentist-related factors

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Assessing diagnostic accuracy of dentoalveolar pathologies using panoramic radiography (OPG), cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and 3D models.
• Evaluating the influence of specialization (Oral Surgery vs. Orthodontics) on diagnostic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the diagnostic accuracy of OPG, CBCT, and 3D models for dentoalveolar pathologies.
• To determine the impact of resident specialization on diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning decisions.

Main Methods:

• Fourteen residents evaluated nine cases with dentoalveolar pathologies using OPG, CBCT, and 3D models.
• Residents answered questions on diagnosis and the need for further imaging.
• Analysis included specialization, gender, and experience.

Main Results:

• Diagnostic accuracy improved from OPG to CBCT for both Oral Surgery (66.3% to 83.4%) and Orthodontics (63.7% to 78.0%) residents.
• 3D models showed no significant advantage over CBCT for diagnosis.
• Orthodontics residents more frequently deemed OPG sufficient for treatment planning (OR 6.3).
• Female residents (OR 3.8) and those with less experience (OR 3.0) were more likely to request CBCT after OPG.

Conclusions:

• OPG offers decent diagnostic accuracy, which is enhanced by CBCT.
• Specialization moderately impacts diagnostic accuracy but significantly influences CBCT requests for treatment planning.
• Further research is needed to analyze specific pathologies with larger sample sizes.