Clinical Application of Low-dose CBCT in Oral Implantology: A Retrospective Study

doi:10.13701/j.cnki.kqyxyj.2026.02.005

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To compare the image quality and accuracy between low-dose and standard-dose cone beam CT (CBCT) and explore the clinical feasibility of low-dose CBCT in oral implantology. Methods: This retrospective study included 60 implant patients (30 maxillary and 30 mandibular cases). Preoperative standard-dose CBCT (90 kV, 8 mA, 18 s) and postoperative low-dose CBCT (90 kV, 7.1 mA, 6 s) images were acquired using Planmeca ProMax 3D Mid device. Radiation doses included dose area product (DAP) and computed tomography dose index (CTDI) were recorded. Image quality of the mandibular canal and maxillary sinus floor was scored (1-3 points), and four linear measurements were performed: root length of mandibular canines (H1), root length of maxillary central incisors (H2), distance from the mandibular canal inferior floor to the inferior mandibular border at the bifurcation of mandibular first molar region (H3), and distance from the root apex of maxillary central incisors to the nasal floor (H4). Results: Compared to the standard-dose protocol, DAP and CTDI in low-dose protocol both decreased by 70.4%. No significant differences were observed in image quality scores (mandibular canal=0.707; maxillary sinus floor: P=0.135) or linear measurements (P_H1=0.963; P_H2=0.384; P_H3=0.615; P_H4=0.118). Conclusion: Low-dose protocol by appropriately reducing current and scanning time had no significant effect on image quality and linear measurements for implant patients. It is recommended to use the low-dose protocol for implant patient to reduce radiation dose.

Key words: oral implant, CBCT, low-dose, standard-dose

NI Ruiyang, WEN Shanhui, LIU Anqi, LIN Zitong. Clinical Application of Low-dose CBCT in Oral Implantology: A Retrospective Study[J]. Journal of Oral Science Research, 2026, 42(2): 110-114.

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