X-ray imaging of a small volume

An extraoral x-ray system comprising:

• an x-ray source configured to emit an x-ray cone beam;
• an x-ray detector positioned to receive x-rays from the x-ray source;
• an x-ray collimator positioned between the x-ray source and a patient positioning area, the x-ray collimator comprising one or more adjustable shutters configured to set an aperture for the x-ray cone beam;
• a positioning mechanism configured to position an oral cavity of the patient using a first reference point;
• a control unit operatively connected to the x-ray source, the x-ray detector, and the x-ray collimator, wherein the control unit is configured to:
• receive a digital impression of the oral cavity of the patient;
• receive a selection of a region of interest in the digital impression;
• determine a size of the region of interest;
• determine a second reference point in the digital impression;
• determine a position of the selected region of interest relative to the x-ray system using the first reference point, the second reference point, and the digital impression;
• control the x-ray detector and the x-ray source to position on opposing sides of a head of the patient such that the region of interest can be exposed with the x-ray cone beam;
• control the one or more adjustable shutters to restrict the x-ray cone beam to expose substantially not more than the region of interest;
• and
• control acquisition of at least one x-ray projection image of the region of interest and generate an x-ray image using the at least one x-ray projection image.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of an x-ray system, cause the x-ray system to:

• receive a digital impression of an oral cavity of a patient;
• receive a selection of a region of interest in the digital impression;
• determine a size of the region of interest;
• determine a second reference point in the digital impression;
• determine a position of the selected region of interest relative to the x-ray system using a first reference point associated with a patient positioning mechanism, the second reference point, and the digital impression;
• control an x-ray detector and an x-ray source to position on opposing sides of a head of the patient such that the region of interest can be exposed with an x-ray cone beam from the x-ray source;
• control one or more adjustable shutters of an x-ray collimator to restrict the x-ray cone beam to expose substantially not more than the region of interest;
• control acquisition of at least one x-ray projection image of the region of interest;
• and
• generate an x-ray image using the at least one x-ray projection image.