Evaluation of clinical indications for cone-beam computed tomography in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional investigation

Cengiz Evli; Emine Ayyüce Kocabay; Semra Suzan Acar; Akif Demirel

doi:10.32322/jhsm.1857301

Evaluation of clinical indications for cone-beam computed tomography in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional investigation

Abstract

Aims: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to systematically evaluate clinical indications for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations in pediatric and adolescent patients. The specific objectives included determining the frequency distribution of various clinical indications, examining relationships between patient age, gender, and referral indication, and analyzing patterns of CBCT utilization in this population. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 960 children and adolescents aged 18 years or younger who underwent CBCT examination at a university-based dental clinic. Data were systematically extracted from electronic patient records and CBCT referral forms, including patient age, biological sex, and clinical indications. Clinical indications were categorized into twelve distinct groups: impacted third molars, impacted canines, other impacted teeth, periapical lesions, supernumerary teeth, mesiodens, cleft lip and palate, temporomandibular joint disorders, dento-alveolar trauma, endodontic reasons, orthognathic surgery planning, and implant planning. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-square tests to evaluate the relationship between sex and CBCT indication, and Mann-Whitney U tests to compare age distributions across different clinical indications. Results: Impacted teeth constituted the predominant indication for CBCT imaging, with impacted third molars representing the most frequent indication, followed by impacted canines. Significant gender-specific patterns were observed in the distribution of clinical indications, reflecting established epidemiological distributions of dental conditions. The age distribution varied significantly across different clinical indications, with concentration of referrals during adolescence corresponding to the developmental timeline of specific dental conditions. Conclusion: This study shows that impacted teeth constitute the primary indication for pediatric CBCT examinations, aligning with evidence-based guidelines and appropriate clinical practice. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing attention to radiation safety principles in pediatric CBCT utilization, highlighting the need for careful justification criteria and systematic optimization of technical parameters to minimize radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic adequacy in developing patients.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry Ethics Committee (Decision number: 10/26, Date: 26/05/2025)

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Cengiz Evli ^*
0000-0003-4391-2408
Türkiye

Emine Ayyüce Kocabay
0009-0005-9549-8423
Türkiye

Semra Suzan Acar
0009-0009-5108-771X
Türkiye

Akif Demirel
0000-0002-1433-0452
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 12, 2026

Submission Date

January 6, 2026

Acceptance Date

January 31, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1857301

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA27ED92LU

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Evli, C., Kocabay, E. A., Acar, S. S., & Demirel, A. (2026). Evaluation of clinical indications for cone-beam computed tomography in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional investigation. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 9(2), 385-392. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1857301

AMA

1.Evli C, Kocabay EA, Acar SS, Demirel A. Evaluation of clinical indications for cone-beam computed tomography in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional investigation. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9(2):385-392. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1857301

Chicago

Evli, Cengiz, Emine Ayyüce Kocabay, Semra Suzan Acar, and Akif Demirel. 2026. “Evaluation of Clinical Indications for Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Investigation”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 (2): 385-92. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1857301.

EndNote

Evli C, Kocabay EA, Acar SS, Demirel A (March 1, 2026) Evaluation of clinical indications for cone-beam computed tomography in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional investigation. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 2 385–392.

IEEE

[1]C. Evli, E. A. Kocabay, S. S. Acar, and A. Demirel, “Evaluation of clinical indications for cone-beam computed tomography in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional investigation”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 385–392, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.1857301.

ISNAD

Evli, Cengiz - Kocabay, Emine Ayyüce - Acar, Semra Suzan - Demirel, Akif. “Evaluation of Clinical Indications for Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Investigation”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9/2 (March 1, 2026): 385-392. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1857301.

JAMA

1.Evli C, Kocabay EA, Acar SS, Demirel A. Evaluation of clinical indications for cone-beam computed tomography in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional investigation. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9:385–392.

MLA

Evli, Cengiz, et al. “Evaluation of Clinical Indications for Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Investigation”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 385-92, doi:10.32322/jhsm.1857301.

Vancouver

1.Cengiz Evli, Emine Ayyüce Kocabay, Semra Suzan Acar, Akif Demirel. Evaluation of clinical indications for cone-beam computed tomography in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional investigation. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026 Mar. 1;9(2):385-92. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1857301