CBCT Indications, Interpretations, and Incidental Findings

Course Description

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is being extensively used by dentists and specialists. Although the advantages of using this modality are enormous, with information comes responsibility. Most dental clinicians are not maxillofacial radiologists and are generally not familiar with interpretation of anatomy and pathosis in the head-and-neck area outside their immediate area of interest.

Dentists are expected to have basic skills in interpreting the radiologic images that they make in their dental practices. This ability requires the mastery of two identifiable and non-separable components of visual diagnosis: perception, the ability to recognize abnormal patterns in the image, and cognition, the ability to interpret these abnormal patterns to arrive at an interpretation or diagnosis.

The regions of interest captured by these machines vary in size and applications are numerous. If using the image data from this modality, clinicians are obligated to examine the entire volume and to understand and recognize all the anatomy in the head and neck region that can be portrayed, and any abnormalities detected in otherwise normal surroundings.

Incidental findings are abnormal findings that are unrelated to the initial purpose of the CBCT study. The failure to identify and report these findings, especially if these findings are pathological in nature, can lead to medical complications in the patient and have potential medicolegal ramifications for the dentist/specialist.

Course Objectives

• Guidelines and evidence-based use of CBCT
• Anatomy:
  • Sinonasal overview, osteomeatal complex, pterygopalatine fossa
  • Airway
  • Oral cavity (teeth, maxilla, mandible)
  • Base of skull
  • Cranial nerves
• Pathologies – Benign and Aggressive
• Incidental findings:
  • Review common incidental findings and the recommendations for treatment, referral, and follow up.
  • After completing this course, the clinicians have the general knowledge of anatomy and can generate a radiology report.

About Live, Interactive Continuing Education Webinars

A live, interactive webinar is similar to attending a continuing education seminar in your community, except that you attend via your computer. Each course is done live in a format that allows your participation. Anyone who has access to a computer that can play sound can participate in an ACES webinar. No special computer knowledge or equipment is required to participate in our webinars. When you enroll in any ACES course, you will be sent an email with complete information on how to join the webinar and a copy of the course syllabus. At the conclusion of your live webinar, you will complete a course examination online. You will then be able to print your continuing education certificate from your computer.

Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships:
Instructor: Dr. Reyhaneh Alimohammadi – No relevant financial relationship to report Education
Advisory Committee (EAC): Members of the EAC have no relevant financial relationships to report
ACES ownership and staff: No relevant financial relationship to report

Advanced Continuing Education Systems is an ADA CERP Recognized provider for dental continuing education. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

Advanced Continuing Education Systems designates this activity for 3 continuing education credits.

Advanced Continuing Education Systems (Provider RP4393) has been approved by the Dental Board of California as a provider of dental continuing education.