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World J Radiol. Aug 28, 2014; 6(8): 607-612
Published online Aug 28, 2014. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v6.i8.607
Bone mineral density in cone beam computed tomography: Only a few shades of gray
Marcio José da Silva Campos, Thainara Salgueiro de Souza, Sergio Luiz Mota Júnior, Marcelo Reis Fraga, Robert Willer Farinazzo Vitral
Marcio José da Silva Campos, Thainara Salgueiro de Souza, Sergio Luiz Mota Júnior, Marcelo Reis Fraga, Robert Willer Farinazzo Vitral, Department of Orthodontics, Juiz de Fora Federal University, 36036-900, Minas Gerais, Brasil
Author contributions: Campos MJS and de Souza TS contributed equally to this work, drafted and wrote the manuscript; Mota Júnior SL and Fraga MR revised the manuscript; Campos MJS and Vitral RWF were responsible for final approval of the version to be published.
Correspondence to: Robert Willer Farinazzo Vitral, DDS, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair of Orthodontics, Department of Orthodontics, Juiz de Fora Federal University, Juiz de Fora, 36036-900, Minas Gerais, Brasil. robertvitral@gmail.com
Telephone: +55-32-21023879 Fax: +55-32-21023879
Received: December 27, 2013
Revised: March 11, 2014
Accepted: April 25, 2014
Published online: August 28, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: The development of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has allowed for more frequent use of these images in dentistry for the evaluation of dentomaxillofacial structures. Yet, there is no consensus regarding the accuracy of CBCT to determine mineral density of craniofacial bone structures, although this technique has been used for this purpose in several types of analyses. According to the studies available to date, it may be concluded that CBCT should not be considered the examination of choice for the determination of mineral density of osseous and soft tissues, especially when values obtained are compared with predetermined standard values.