Evaluation of Preference toward Cone-beam Computed Tomography versus Orthopantomography among Various Specialty Dental Practices – A Cross-sectional Survey

Aim and Objectives: In the recent years, the use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in dentistry has been consistently increasing. There is a need to evaluate the changing trend of preference and the purpose of its utilization. The purpose of this survey is to analyse the preference of OPG and CBCT among dentists in the Tamil Nadu population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey research using questionnaire was done. The survey provider used for the study is Google Forms. Twenty closed-ended e-questionnaires were created and were validated by five experts from different institutions on a 4-point Likert scale for clarity, comprehensibility, and appropriateness for the target group and for content validity. Internal validation was performed with n = 30, and Cronbach testing was good and reliable, with an alpha value of 0.85. The internal consistency was found to be good and acceptable. Chi-square analysis and Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed in our study to simplify the complex domains using statistical procedures to explore the underlying dimensions and relationships between multiple variables in detail. Results: Our results showed that there was a statistically significant ( P ≤ 0.05) acceptance of CBCT as an ideal diagnostic tool irrespective of the type of practice and the years of expertise. SEM showed that the oral medicine and surgery domains were more likely to prefer CBCT. The periodontal domain may be more likely to choose OPG over CBCT. Conclusion: At this point in time, although CBCT is preferred as an ideal diagnostic tool, most dentists opt for OPG over CBCT for diagnostic evaluation. It is recommended that dentists implement CBCT beyond OPG for diagnostic procedures for precise treatment outcome based on guidelines and patient preferences.