American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) utilizes flat detectors for image acquisition. These flat detectors are essential in capturing high-resolution three-dimensional images of dental and maxillofacial structures. They have significant advantages over traditional imaging techniques, primarily due to their ability to produce detailed cross-sectional images while minimizing patient exposure to radiation.

Flat detectors convert X-ray photons directly into electrical signals, which can then be processed into digital images. This technology enhances the quality and speed of imaging, allowing for more efficient diagnosis and treatment planning in orthodontics and other dental specialties. The ability to create accurate, three-dimensional representations of complex anatomical relationships is one of the key benefits of CBCT, making flat detectors an ideal choice for this modality.

In contrast, the other options, including image intensifiers, film-based sensors, and charge-coupled devices (CCDs), are not used in CBCT systems for various reasons, including limitations in image quality, processing speed, and patient dose management compared to flat detector technology.