Evaluation of the effects of head movement-related artifacts on the quality of cone-beam computed tomography images

Introduction: Motion artifacts in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) can impact image quality significantly.The study assessed the influence of artifacts resulting from various head movements on the precision of distance measurement and CBCT image quality.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of artifacts caused by different head movements on CBCT images.Material and methods: In this experimental trial, a human skull was placed on a robot, and different movements, including posterior, anterior, rotational, and tremor motions were simulated.CBCT devices, Cranex 3D (three-dimensional) and Carestream were employed.For images' analysis, artifacts were classified as streak, double-contour, ring, and blurred.To determine measurement accuracy, acrylic markers were placed at buccal and lingual aspects of the alveolar crest on posterior and anterior areas.Distance between the markers was measured on the skull and images using a caliper and OnDemand3D software, respectively.Measurements were repeated twice by two observers within a twoweek interval.Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics methods, i.e., Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results:The occurrence of streak artifacts was consistent between the two devices, while blurred images were slightly more prevalent in Carestream.Notably, significant differences were observed between the experimental and software measurements in Cranex 3D images of the anterior mandible and posterior maxilla.Conclusions: Among the motions simulated, the posterior movement of 10 mm had the most pronounced negative impact on image quality, while the rotational movement of 5 presented the least effect.Interestingly, the rotational movement reduced measurement accuracy more than other types of movements in both the Carestream and Cranex 3D devices.