A Dual-Energy Dental Cone-beam CT System Using Grid-Controlled X-Ray Tube

Objective: This study aims to design a novel dual-energy dental cone-beam CT (CBCT) system using a grid-controlled X-ray tube, construct a prototype, and evaluate its performance. The system aims to deliver strong basic imaging performance and effective metal artifact suppression capabilities without significantly increasing scan time or radiation dose. Methods: Rapid kilovolt (kV)-switching and basis-material decomposition in the projection domain are performed for dual-energy scanning and reconstruction. A grid-controlled X-ray tube is utilized to reduce the rise and fall times of radiation pulse and increase the number of high- and low-energy projections acquired within a limited scanning time, thus improving imaging performance. Conclusion: The proposed dual-energy CBCT system can alternatively acquire 900 high- and low-energy large FOV projection data within 15 s. This acquiring rate is significantly higher than those of other kV-switching dental CBCT systems reported in the literature. The basic performance (such as spatial resolution, low-contrast resolution, and uniformity) of the VMI image obtained via the dual-energy scanning mode of this novel system satisfies the requirements of relative standards with a DAP value lower than that suggested by the European Commission. Additionally, the metal artifact is significantly lower than those under single-energy scanning modes with similar DAPs.