Recent studies have confirmed that Carestream Dental's CS 9300 family of cone-beam CT (CBCT) systems can provide 3D examinations at up to 85% lower dose than traditional 2D panoramic imaging, according to the company.
The research, conducted by John Ludlow, DDS, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, found that 3D images captured using the Low Dose Mode for a 5x5-cm adult examination provide an effective dose of just 3 microsieverts (µSv).
The low dosage makes the systems ideal for pediatric or follow-up examinations, according to Ed Shellard, DMD, chief commercial officer for Carestream Dental.
"We all naturally absorb about 2,400 µSv of radiation per year from our surroundings," state Dr. Shellard in a press release. "Low Dose can optimize the dosage to just 3 µSv for a 5 x 5-cm adult exam, or less than half a day's equivalent background radiation. This is ideal for pediatric or follow-up examinations, which allows the practitioner to prescribe the image quality required while adhering even more to the ALARA [As Low as Reasonably Achievable] principle."
Existing units in the CS 9300 family can be retrofitted with the module, so that doctors can ensure they're treating their patients with the lowest dosage possible, the company noted.
