Cone-beam Computed Tomography: Basics, Applications and Advantages in Periapical Lesions Diagnostics and Surgical Treatment Planning in the Posterior Mandible

Aim: The aim of this review is to analyze and summarize the basics of CBCT technology and its specific application for detecting periapical lesions in posterior region of the mandible. Materials and methods: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched, in order to select articles, related to the topic. The review includes articles written in English language, published from 1973 to 2021. Results: CBCT enables three-dimensional examination of segments of the dentition, complete jawbones, facial bones or all of the above. The obtained images permit the study of objects in all possible projections, as well as for establishing the actual spatial relationships between them by elimination the distortion of the image and superimposition of adjacent structures, characteristic of conventional two-dimensional radiographs.The use of CBCT for preoperative diagnostics and examination in the posterior region of the mandible is determined to be most efficient in comparison to other imaging techniques. Conclusion: CBCT imaging surpassed the obstacles of 2D imaging, offering high quality, submillimeter resolution images, with short scanning time and low radiation dose. This makes it a method of choice in cases when conventional two-dimensional radiographs do not provide sufficient information to ensure an adequate treatment approach.