Potential Applications of Dual Energy Computed Tomography in Dentomaxillofacial Imaging

Computed Tomography (CT) is an indispensable tool for diagnostic imaging of dentomaxillofacial disease, particularly conditions requiring surgical intervention. CT is used widely to provide a three-dimensional image with satisfactory spatial resolution of the bone and tooth condition; however, imaging artifacts caused by metallic dental materials critically impair the quality of diagnostic images. Because conventional CT uses a polychromatic X-ray beam, its mean energy is shifted to a higher level when passing through an object. This beam-hardening effect can cause two types of artifacts: so-called cupping artifacts and dark-bands or streaks between dense objects. In recent years, Dual Energy Computed Tomography (DECT) has proved advantageous in clinical CT interpretation. Dual energy imaging has two advantages (1), accurate tissue differentiation and (2) image quality improvement. The technique enables differentiation of tissues with higher precision compared to conventional imaging, such as the differentiation kidney stones; additional useful features include automatic bone and plaque removal. DECT also reduces the beamhardening and blooming artifacts, and improves image contrast (Figure 1A, 1B, 1C, Figure 2). *Corresponding author Ray Tanaka, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Department of Tissue Regeneration and Reconstruction, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 2-5274 Gakkochodori, Chuo-ward, Niigata 951-8514 Japan, Tel: +8125-227-2916; Fax: +81-25-227-0810; E-mail: