CBCT Justification — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateRadiology & ImagingCBCT JustificationORE Part 1

A cone beam CT (CBCT) scan is being considered during implant treatment planning. Which principle should determine whether the scan is undertaken?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: E — It will provide management-relevant information unavailable from lower-dose imaging

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · D = shown as B · B = shown as D · A = shown as E

The correct answer is A. In UK practice, a CBCT exposure must be individually justified by an IRMER practitioner. It should be authorised only when it is expected to add information that will affect management or prognosis and that cannot be obtained from a lower-dose conventional imaging technique. Therefore, CBCT is not a routine prerequisite for implant placement (B), nor is a posterior site alone an indication (C). Imaging complements, rather than replaces, history and clinical examination (D). Conversely, limiting CBCT solely to multiple-implant cases is too restrictive: a single implant may warrant CBCT when a specific diagnostic question remains unresolved on lower-dose imaging (E). The governing principle is patient-specific justification, followed by optimisation of the exposure.

Reference: Health Protection Agency. Guidance on the Safe Use of Dental Cone Beam CT (Computed Tomography) Equipment (HPA-CRCE-010), section 3.4 “Justification”, 2010. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7d4f13ed915d321c2de451/HPA-CRCE-010_for_website.pdf