Image and surgery-related costs comparing cone beam CT and panoramic imaging before removal of impacted mandibular third molars

Abstract

Costs for a CBCT examination were approximately four times the costs for panoramic imaging when used prior to removal of a mandibular third molar. The use of CBCT did not change the resources used for surgery, post-surgical treatment and patient complication management.

Efficacy of CBCT for assessment of impacted mandibular third molars: a review – based on a hierarchical model of evidence

“…35 A very recent RCT study also evaluated CBCT vs PAN imaging for other patient-related outcomes than sensory disturbances. 68 There were no statistically significant differences between the CBCT and the PAN imaging groups with respect to resources used for surgery (operation time) and post surgically, nor in resources used for patient complication management, such as postoperative visits at the dental clinic, sickness absence and use of antibiotics or pain relievers. 68 In conclusion, existing studies suggest that CBCT does not change patient outcome compared with PAN imaging, but obviously, more RCTs of removal of third molars in various impaction states and operation complexity are needed.…”

“…70 Only one RCT seems to exist, which has included a calculation of absolute and relative costs prospectively for a CBCT compared with a PAN examination. 68 In this RCT, it was found that costs for a CBCT examination were three to four times the costs for PAN examination when used for treatment planning before mandibular third molar removal. In the study setting, the costs for a CBCT examination varied between approximately €70 and €180 (US $95-245), and the costs for a PAN image varied between €25 and €50 (US $34-68), depending on variations in capital costs and number of performed examinations yearly.…”

Guidelines for clinical use of CBCT: a review

“…53 It is therefore of interest that, in the context of pre-surgical use of CBCT as an aid in third molar surgery, recent evidence suggests that using CBCT substantially increased costs compared with using panoramic radiography but without any change in the resources used for surgery, post-surgical treatment or patient complication management. 54 An influential factor is that some dentists' training on the appropriate use of CBCT may be limited to that received from manufacturers and suppliers who may be selective in their communication of research evidence for their product. Clinical use of CBCT is as open to such influences as any other dental procedure.…”

Economic and health implications of routine CBCT examination before surgical removal of the mandibular third molar in the Danish population

“…CBCT has been shown to require around four times the resources compared with panoramic imaging, which until now has been the state-of-the-art for pre-operative assessment and treatment planning. 6 Furthermore, CBCT does not seem to change surgical treatment planning substantially, 7 and a recent study reported that no differences were seen in operation time or common morbidity among patients treated on the basis of CBCT or panoramic examination. 6 It is currently unclear if pre-operative diagnostic use of CBCT will reduce the number of neurosensoric disturbances.…”

“…6 Furthermore, CBCT does not seem to change surgical treatment planning substantially, 7 and a recent study reported that no differences were seen in operation time or common morbidity among patients treated on the basis of CBCT or panoramic examination. 6 It is currently unclear if pre-operative diagnostic use of CBCT will reduce the number of neurosensoric disturbances. However, it is evident that the use of CBCT is associated with an increase in radiation exposure to the population.…”