Under what condition should CBCT be used relative to 2D imaging?

• A. CBCT is ideal for every dental radiography.
• B. CBCT never has limitations on dose.
• C. CBCT should be used only when justified due to higher radiation compared to 2D imaging.
• D. CBCT is the same as intraoral periapical radiography in dose and information.

Answer: (C)

CBCT provides three-dimensional information that can be crucial for certain diagnoses and treatment plans, but it also delivers a higher radiation dose than standard 2D dental imaging. Because of that, its use should be justified: only when the additional 3D detail will meaningfully influence diagnosis or management and cannot be obtained with 2D imaging. In practice, this means reserving CBCT for complex cases such as evaluating tooth roots and canal morphology, understanding precise bone relationships for implants, assessing pathology or resorption in three dimensions, detecting fractures, or planning surgical or orthodontic interventions. When CBCT is used, we should choose the smallest field of view and lowest reasonable resolution to minimize exposure while still meeting the diagnostic need. The other statements are incorrect because CBCT is not ideal for every radiograph, it does have dose limitations, and it is not equivalent to intraoral periapical radiography in either dose or information.