Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Imaging for the Assessment of Periodontal Disease

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging has become a significant imaging modality in periodontology, and its applications to dentoalveolar disease and conditions are frequently updated. This review highlighted some of the current evidence of the use of CBCT scans for imaging the most common conditions related to periodontal diseases. CBCT imaging should not be the first choice for the routine assessment of vertical or horizontal bone loss, and its use should be preferable for cases where clinical information and conventional 2D images are insufficient or unclear for diagnosis and treatment decision. On the other hand, the use of CBCT appears to be prudent for an accurate diagnosis of furcation defects in patients with advanced periodontal disease, and in cases where dehiscence and fenestration are suspected. Should volumetric evaluation of those periodontal bone defects be required, it is important to use small voxel sizes for a more accurate measurement. CBCT exams provide little additional benefit in the decision-making and disease managing in most cases of periodontal disease, being advocated only on patient-specific situations involving more complex conditions such as alveolar defects with intricate morphology, dehiscence, and fenestration.