Evaluation of various low-dose cone-beam computed tomography protocols in the diagnosis of specific condylar defects.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the identifiability and measurement accuracy of defined bony defects of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in cone-beam computed tomographies, depending on different milliampere-second (mAs)-reduced protocols.

Methods: Defined artificial defects were prepared on 30 condyles from 15 intact pig heads, with a maximum of surrounding soft tissue preserved. Three-dimensional imaging was performed using ProMax 3D Mid (Planmeca, Helsinki, Finland).