AAE and AAOMR Issue Position Statement on 3-D Imaging in Endodontics
CHICAGO - In response to new
developments and research indicating the effectiveness of 3-D imaging
for endodontic diagnosis and treatment, the American Association of
Endodontists and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial
Radiology have issued a revised position statement on the use of cone
beam-computed tomography in endodontics. The joint statement is an
update to a 2010 position on CBCT use in endodontics.
An AAE-AAOMR committee reviewed the scientific literature from the past five years, and updated the position statement to include specific recommendations for the appropriate use of CBCT. The statement emphasizes that CBCT should not be used routinely for endodontic diagnosis or screening purposes in the absence of clinical signs and symptoms, and provides 11 specific recommendations and supporting evidence for when CBCT should be considered the imaging modality of choice.The statement is consistent with principles of ALARA-keeping patient radiation doses "as low as reasonably achievable," and notes that the patient's history and clinical examination must justify the use of CBCT by demonstrating that the benefits to the patient outweigh the potential risks.
"Endodontists continue to have excellent results with two-dimensional radiography," said AAE President Dr. Terryl A. Propper. "However, limited field of view CBCT does have a place in endodontics when dealing with more complex cases, which are reflected in the position statement. Our goal is to help AAE members and general dentists determine where it fits for them."
"Dental imaging is interlaced with endodontics not only for accurate diagnosis but for periodic evaluation of certain treatment outcomes," said AAOMR President Dr. Christos Angelopoulos. "Complex cases may require the use of advanced imaging modalities such as CBCT for proper diagnoses, although advanced imaging may not be necessary as a routine diagnostic tool. The collaboration of AAOMR and the AAE aims to provide guidance to general dentists and endodontists based on the available evidence. The main goal of the two organizations is simply to guide practitioners toward 'best practice'."
The current position statement was drafted by a special joint committee of leading experts in the area of CBCT in endodontics. Each organization appointed four representatives. Dr. Mohamed I. Fayad of the University of Illinois at Chicago, appointed by the AAE, and Dr. Madhu K. Nair of the University of Florida, appointed by the AAOMR, served as co-chairs of the committee. AAE Members Drs. Craig S. Hirschberg, Martin D. Levin and Richard A. Rubinstein also served on the committee, along with Drs. Sevin Barghan, Erika Benavides and Axel Ruprecht from the AAOMR. The position statement is available at www.aae.org/guidelines.
The American Association of Endodontists, headquartered in Chicago, Ill., represents more than 7,500 members worldwide. Endodontics is one of nine dental specialties formally recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAE, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. The Association inspires its members to pursue professional advancement and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service. For more information about the AAE, visit the Association's website at www.aae.org.
About the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, headquartered in Springfield, Ill., represents more than 450 members most of whom are dental specialists in diagnostic imaging of the broader area of the face and jaws. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology is the ninth and most recent dental specialty to be formally recognized by the American Dental Association. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologists are experts in advanced diagnostic imaging modalities, image acquisition and interpretation, serving as consultants to other specialists and general practitioners for the benefit of the patient. The vast majority of OMR are committed dental educators who teach dental students, residents and dentists the importance of radiologic diagnosis as a basis for treatment and advocate for the safe and effective use of x-radiation in oral and maxillofacial imaging. The Academy, founded in 1949, encourages its members to pursue professional advancement and achievement through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service. For more information about the AAOMR visit the Academy's website at www.aaomr.org.
An AAE-AAOMR committee reviewed the scientific literature from the past five years, and updated the position statement to include specific recommendations for the appropriate use of CBCT. The statement emphasizes that CBCT should not be used routinely for endodontic diagnosis or screening purposes in the absence of clinical signs and symptoms, and provides 11 specific recommendations and supporting evidence for when CBCT should be considered the imaging modality of choice.The statement is consistent with principles of ALARA-keeping patient radiation doses "as low as reasonably achievable," and notes that the patient's history and clinical examination must justify the use of CBCT by demonstrating that the benefits to the patient outweigh the potential risks.
"Endodontists continue to have excellent results with two-dimensional radiography," said AAE President Dr. Terryl A. Propper. "However, limited field of view CBCT does have a place in endodontics when dealing with more complex cases, which are reflected in the position statement. Our goal is to help AAE members and general dentists determine where it fits for them."
"Dental imaging is interlaced with endodontics not only for accurate diagnosis but for periodic evaluation of certain treatment outcomes," said AAOMR President Dr. Christos Angelopoulos. "Complex cases may require the use of advanced imaging modalities such as CBCT for proper diagnoses, although advanced imaging may not be necessary as a routine diagnostic tool. The collaboration of AAOMR and the AAE aims to provide guidance to general dentists and endodontists based on the available evidence. The main goal of the two organizations is simply to guide practitioners toward 'best practice'."
The current position statement was drafted by a special joint committee of leading experts in the area of CBCT in endodontics. Each organization appointed four representatives. Dr. Mohamed I. Fayad of the University of Illinois at Chicago, appointed by the AAE, and Dr. Madhu K. Nair of the University of Florida, appointed by the AAOMR, served as co-chairs of the committee. AAE Members Drs. Craig S. Hirschberg, Martin D. Levin and Richard A. Rubinstein also served on the committee, along with Drs. Sevin Barghan, Erika Benavides and Axel Ruprecht from the AAOMR. The position statement is available at www.aae.org/guidelines.
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About the American Association of EndodontistsThe American Association of Endodontists, headquartered in Chicago, Ill., represents more than 7,500 members worldwide. Endodontics is one of nine dental specialties formally recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAE, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. The Association inspires its members to pursue professional advancement and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service. For more information about the AAE, visit the Association's website at www.aae.org.
About the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, headquartered in Springfield, Ill., represents more than 450 members most of whom are dental specialists in diagnostic imaging of the broader area of the face and jaws. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology is the ninth and most recent dental specialty to be formally recognized by the American Dental Association. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologists are experts in advanced diagnostic imaging modalities, image acquisition and interpretation, serving as consultants to other specialists and general practitioners for the benefit of the patient. The vast majority of OMR are committed dental educators who teach dental students, residents and dentists the importance of radiologic diagnosis as a basis for treatment and advocate for the safe and effective use of x-radiation in oral and maxillofacial imaging. The Academy, founded in 1949, encourages its members to pursue professional advancement and achievement through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service. For more information about the AAOMR visit the Academy's website at www.aaomr.org.
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