American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam

The correct response highlights that the radiation dose from Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) can fluctuate significantly, resulting in doses that range from lower than to substantially higher than the average yearly background radiation.

This variability arises from multiple factors, including the specific protocol used during the CBCT scan, the type of equipment employed, and the patient's characteristics. For instance, some CBCT scans may be designed to minimize exposure, resulting in lower doses, while others, especially those that require more detailed imaging, may yield higher doses that exceed the yearly background exposure.

On average, background radiation exposure can be around 2-3 millisieverts per year (mSv) from natural sources, while a single CBCT scan might expose a patient to a dose that can be less than this average or can, in some cases, be several times higher, especially if multiple scans are needed or if the settings are optimized for high-resolution images.

This understanding is critical in calibrating the use of CBCT in clinical settings, as practitioners must always weigh the benefits of obtaining specific diagnostic information against the potential risks associated with increased radiation exposure. Addressing patient safety and imaging protocols ensures that CBCT is used judiciously, keeping radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable