Maria Teresa Xavier

Complementary diagnostic exams, including radiographs are valuable tools in the oral health care of the pediatric age, particularly in diagnosing and monitoring oral diseases, evaluating dentoalveolar trauma, as well as controlling dentofacial development and the progress of therapy. Recently, new imaging technology, such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has added three-dimensional details, being an additional diagnostic tool of major importance in assessing periapical pathology in endodontics, oral pathology, anomalies in the developing dentition (e.g., impacted, ectopic, or supernumerary teeth), dental and facial trauma.

As the effects of radiation exposure accumulate over time, it is important to take into consideration the relative risks and benefits of the various treatment options. In addition, good radiological practices are important in minimizing or eliminating unnecessary radiation in diagnostic dental imaging and every effort must be made to minimize the child and adolescent’s exposure.

The main purpose of this work is to systematize the use of different imaging methods taking into account their indications, based on clinical cases presentation.