Study Overview
This study compares the effectiveness of standard-dose and low-dose cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in diagnosing and treating impacted mandibular third molars (M3Ms).
Objective
The goal was to see how well low-dose CBCT shows the mandibular canal (MC) and its closeness to M3Ms, and how this affects decisions made by dental professionals.
Methods
A total of 154 impacted M3Ms from 90 patients were randomly divided into three groups. Each group underwent two CBCT scans: one standard-dose (333 mGy×cm2) and one of three low-dose protocols (78-131 mGy×cm2). Dental practitioners assessed the visibility of the MC, proximity to M3Ms, and made treatment decisions based on the images.
Results
Most observers (78.5-99.3%) clearly saw the MC in standard-dose CBCT scans. There were significant differences in MC visibility between the two types of scans, but not in proximity or treatment decisions. The differences in visibility were minimal and within acceptable limits.
Conclusions
The low-dose CBCT protocols provided good image quality for assessing impacted M3Ms in most cases. They did not significantly change how dental professionals evaluated proximity or made treatment decisions compared to standard-dose CBCT.
Clinical Relevance
Low-dose CBCT can be a safe option for managing M3Ms, significantly reducing radiation exposure for patients.
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