Comparing Cone Beam Computed Tomography Systems from an Orthodontic Perspective

There are more than 40 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems currently available to consumers. Differentiating between the systems and making fair comparisons can be difficult. The needs of orthodontists differ from other dental specialists and require a different perspective when evaluating CBCT systems. In CBCT systems the characteristics of the reconstructed image are affected by the type of detector used, the features available on the machine, and the software used to reconstruct the volume. Understanding how each of these affects the resulting image will empower the clinician to better compare various CBCT systems and find the right fit for their practice.