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. 2025 May 23;30(2):e252486.
doi: 10.1590/2177-6709.30.2.e252486.oar. eCollection 2025.

Cone-beam computed tomography prescription by Brazilian orthodontists

Karine Evangelista  1 , Grasielle Di Manoel Caiado  2 , Maria do Carmo Matias Freire  3 , José Valladares-Neto  1 , Maria Alves Garcia Silva  4
Affiliations

Cone-beam computed tomography prescription by Brazilian orthodontists

Karine Evangelista et al. Dental Press J Orthod. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To investigate the factors that influence Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging prescription in Brazilian orthodontics practice.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2020 using an online survey sent to all Brazilian orthodontists registered at the Federal Council of Dentistry. The variables were the orthodontists' demographic features and the CBCT prescription in clinical practice. A descriptive and comparative analysis was implemented using frequencies and the chi-square test, respectively.

Results: The sample consisted of 939 respondents. CBCT prescription and the use of guidelines for imaging in orthodontics were confirmed by 81.9% and 52.6% of the sample, respectively. Training for CBCT was reported by 37.0%, mainly during specialization programs in orthodontics (50.0%), about one to five years ago (64.7%), with a duration of 4 to 8 hours (53.4%). The CBCT prescription was indicated predominantly for specific cases (71.0%), and was generally related to impacted teeth (74.7%), orthognathic surgical patients (46.2%), and root resorption (41.9%). The results indicated differences in CBCT prescription between the Brazilian macro-regions, regarding the criteria for prescription, use of guidelines, reasons for not recommending the exam, diagnostic purposes, voxel size, and training for the use of CBCT (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The prescription of CBCT was adequate by most Brazilian orthodontists for cases involving impacted teeth, surgical interventions, and root resorption. However, adherence to imaging prescription guidelines was observed in less than 50% of the sample. There is a deficiency in understanding technical parameters and a lack of specific training on CBCT. Disparities were evident among the Brazilian macro-regions, particularly concerning CBCT costs and other variables analyzed.

Objetivo:: Investigar os fatores que influenciam a prescrição de exames de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC) na prática ortodôntica brasileira.

Métodos:: Este estudo transversal foi realizado em 2020, por meio de uma pesquisa online enviada a todos os ortodontistas brasileiros registrados no Conselho Federal de Odontologia. As variáveis foram as características demográficas dos ortodontistas e a prescrição de TCFC na prática clínica. Análises descritiva e comparativa foram implementadas por meio de frequências e do teste qui-quadrado, respectivamente.

Resultados:: A amostra consistiu em 939 respondentes. A prescrição de TCFC e o uso de diretrizes para prescrição de imagens em Ortodontia foram confirmados por 81,9% e 52,6% da amostra, respectivamente. O treinamento para TCFC foi relatado por 37,0%, principalmente durante programas de especialização em Ortodontia (50,0%), feitos há cerca de um a cinco anos atrás (64,7%), com duração de 4 a 8 horas (53,4%). A prescrição de TCFC foi indicada predominantemente para casos específicos (71,0%), geralmente relacionada a dentes impactados (74,7%), pacientes submetidos a cirurgia ortognática (46,2%) e reabsorção radicular (41,9%). Os resultados indicaram diferenças na prescrição de TCFC entre as regiões brasileiras, com relação aos critérios de prescrição, seguimento de diretrizes, razões para não recomendar o exame, propósitos diagnósticos, tamanho de voxel e treinamento para o uso de TCFC (p < 0,05).

Conclusão:: A prescrição de TCFC foi adequada por parte dos ortodontistas brasileiros para casos envolvendo dentes impactados, intervenções cirúrgicas e reabsorção radicular. No entanto, a adesão às diretrizes para prescrição de exames de imagem foi observada em aproximadamente50% da amostra. Há uma deficiência no entendimento dos parâmetros técnicos e uma falta de treinamento específico em TCFC. Disparidades entre as regiões brasileiras foram evidentes, particularmente em relação aos custos de TCFC e outras variáveis analisadas.

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Conflict of interest statement

» The authors report no commercial, proprietary or financial interest in the products or companies described in this article.

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