In my opinion, the most important feature to consider when buying a CBCT scanner for orthodontic use is the scanner's largest field of view (FOV).  The scanner's FOV determines how much of the patient's anatomy you will be able to visualize.  (See the illustration below). 

Scanners using flat panel detectors (FPD) describe the dimensions of their cylindrical FOVs as height by width (HxW).  (Width can also be referred to as diameter).  Scanners using image intensifiers and CCDs as their detectors (II/CCD) describe the dimensions of their spherical FOVs as cm³. I have grouped the scanners below into three categories based on their largest FOV. 

A scanner with a large FOV will show you the roof of the orbits and Nasion down to the hyoid bone.  Scanners with a large FOV, usually a FOV height equal to or greater than 16 cm, are useful for cephalometrics and traditional orthodontic surveys.  (Based on a typical adult male).

Medium FOV scanners will capture the middle of the orbits down to Menton vertically, and condyle-to-condyle horizontally.  Scanners with a medium FOV are useful for panos and implant surveys, but not for cephalometric analysis. 

Scanners with a small FOV capture a user-defined region, usually symmetrical in shape.  Small FOV scanners are used for implant surveys, TMJ surveys, and the localization of impacted teeth.

Some combo scanners also come with attachments for conventional 2D lateral head films and/or panoramic radiographs.

It is also worth noting that some third-party software can "stitch" two small or medium FOV scans together to digitally obtain a larger FOV, (e.g., Anatomage's InVivoDental & Dolphin Imaging's Dolphin 3D).

Click on the model's name below to be directed to these third-party websites:

Please feel free to use the lists above from my website.  I only ask that you credit my website when doing so since it takes countless hours to compile and maintain these lists.

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