Field of View Optimization in Cone-Beam Computed Tomography for Bilateral Alveolar Clefts Before and After Bone Grafting

Objective To investigate in field of view (FOV) reduction in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations of patients with bilateral alveolar clefts for dose reduction and potential missed information of dental anomalies. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Falu lasarett, Sweden. Patients 36 patients (24 males and 12 females) with bilateral alveolar clefts, with 70 CBCT examinations performed before and after alveolar bone grafting exposed between 2016 and 2020. All examinations had a FOV of 80 × 50 mm. Interventions Two reduced-FOV protocols were measured: a larger preoperative protocol including upper canines and the anterior maxilla, and a smaller postoperative protocol depicting the cleft areas. Main Outcome Measure Suggested FOV dimensions for clinical use before and after bone graft. Results The suggested preoperative protocol (65 × 45 mm) resulted in an estimated 27% reduction in radiation dose, whereas the postoperative protocol (35 × 35 mm) achieved a 62% reduction compared with the original FOV. Incidental findings were detected in 80% of the suggested preoperative protocol and in none of the suggested postoperative protocols. Conclusion The suggested FOV reduction protocols for CBCT may substantially reduce radiation exposure while maintaining essential information. A preoperative FOV of 65 × 45 mm and a postoperative FOV of 35 × 35 mm are suggested for CBCT of bilateral alveolar clefts.