Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The effects of different tube currents and voltages on image quality and radiation dose were studied to provide a theoretical basis for low-dose cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning in children. METHODS: Different tube currents and voltages were used to scan the incisor area of fresh Bama pig heads by CBCT. The radiation dose was recorded, and image quality was evaluated. RESULTS: As the tube current or voltage decreased, the radiation dose and image quality gradually decreased. The computed tomographic dose index (CTDIvol) of 90 kV, 2.5 mA and 60 kV, 7.0 mA were all 1.7 mGy. The image quality score of the former was higher than that of the latter, and the difference between them was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose CBCT scanning appears to be able to reduce the necessary tube current during imaging by improving image quality.