ARA and ULD in CBCT, Fact and fiction

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of linear and volumetric measurements using Planmeca Viso G7 CBCT examinations acquired with ultra-low dose (ULD) and metal artifact reduction (ARA) protocols. Eight metallic spherical objects different in size with pre scanning diameter measurements using a calibrated digital calliper were fixed on a five dry human mandibles. The real physical diameters and linear measurements between the metallic objects were measured. A CBCT acquisition was obtained four times with the same proper field of view, 150 µm and 100 Kv, in four scans using the Planmeca® Viso G7 CBCT, machine acquisition was done with and without ARA, ULD, which is ARA (artifact reduction protocol), and ULD (ultra low dose). Both acquisition protocols are inherited options in the Planmeca® Viso G7 CBCT machine. All images were interpreted with the Planmeca Romexis® software. Linear and volumetric measurements were found to have a non-statistically significant difference with real measurements in the acquisition with ARA and ULD, but with a statistically significant difference with the other three acquisition sequences. Using the ARA (artifact reduction algorithm) in combination with the ULD (ultra-low dose) as an acquisition tool in the CBCT machine results in accurate linear and volumetric measurements, enhances image quality, and reduces metallic artifact with the lowest radiation dose.