Advanced Applications of Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Orthodontics

Mah, James K.; Yi, Liu; Huang, Reyes C.; Choo, HyeRan

doi:10.1053/j.sodo.2010.08.011

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Volume 17, Issue 1 , Pages 57-71, March 2011

Advanced Applications of Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Orthodontics

James K. Mah
- Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Craniofacial Sciences and Therapeutics, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Associate Clinical Professor and Vice-Chair, Division of Orthodontics, Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA
- Attending Orthodontist, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Clinical Associate, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
- Address correspondence to Dr James K. Mah, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 925W, 34th Street, DEN 312, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0641
Liu Yi
- Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Craniofacial Sciences and Therapeutics, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Associate Clinical Professor and Vice-Chair, Division of Orthodontics, Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA
- Attending Orthodontist, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Clinical Associate, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Reyes C. Huang
- Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Craniofacial Sciences and Therapeutics, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Associate Clinical Professor and Vice-Chair, Division of Orthodontics, Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA
- Attending Orthodontist, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Clinical Associate, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
HyeRan Choo
- Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Craniofacial Sciences and Therapeutics, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Associate Clinical Professor and Vice-Chair, Division of Orthodontics, Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA
- Attending Orthodontist, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Clinical Associate, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

This article describes the advanced cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) applications in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. The limitations of conventional 2-dimensional planar film are discussed, and case examples are described that highlight the additional diagnostic information and many benefits derived from 3-dimensional imaging. CBCT software can manipulate the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (ie, DICOM) data to visualize anatomic structures and accurately display relationships within the craniofacial complex. A combination of volumetric reconstruction and multiplanar views can provide the orthodontic clinician with skeletal hard tissue, soft tissue, dentition, and airway information. Nonstandard orthodontic cases, such as impacted teeth, supernumerary odontomas, or unexpected radiologic observations, such as pathologic lesions or incidental findings are best visualized with the 3-dimensinoal CBCT scan. Advanced CBCT software applications also can be used to quantify airway space (relevant for sleep apnea cases), perform superimpositions of objects at different time points to semiquantitatively visualize changes (eg, mandibular growth, temporomandibular joint, airway), and generate digital dental models to streamline the workflow in the orthodontic clinic.