Cone Beam Computed Tomography Impact on Diagnosis, Treatment Planning and Confidence in Endodontic Decision-Making: A Systematic Review.

Summary: Dentists use X-rays to look at teeth, but sometimes regular flat X-rays aren't enough to see the whole picture. A new study looked at 3D scans, called CBCT, to see if they help dentists make better choices for root canals and tooth pain. The study found that 3D scans do help dentists spot tricky problems, like strange root shapes or hidden damage. Because the 3D scans show more details, dentists feel much more sure of their choices. However, seeing all that extra damage often means they have to do bigger treatments, like pulling the tooth out, instead of trying to save it.