Effective dose comparison between stitched and single FOV in CBCT protocols for complete dental arcade

Exposure and protection protocols of dentomaxillofacial imaging applied by paediatric dentists in Europe

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate exposure and protection practices regarding dentomaxillofacial imaging among pediatric dentists in Europe and determine the effect of different clinician specific characteristics on their implementation.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study involving an electronic questionnaire addressed to paediatric dentists, participating in a seminar on dental radiology organized by the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry. Participants were asked to respond to questions regarding dentomaxillofacial imaging in terms of applied radiation dose, adoption of radiation protection techniques, and different patterns of radiographic studying and exchange between patients and colleagues. Data analysis was performed and distribution of responses was tested using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

A total of 151 paediatric dentists, 119 females and 32 males, with a mean chronological age of 42.8 years (s.e. 11.3 years), successfully completed the questionnaire (response rate = 82%). Regardless of the type of radiograph, majority of respondents (68%), reported that they perform the radiographs themselves, while 21% reported that they refer the patients. Half of the respondents (51%), indicated requesting a small (localized) field of view (FOV) when referring for a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) with only a small proportion (11%) reporting a large (maxillofacial) FOV. Thyroid collars and optimizing exposure settings were the most commonly reported patient protection measures used. Lastly, paediatric dentists have adopted the latest technological capacities for the study of dental images.

CONCLUSIONS

Dentomaxillofacial imaging protection and exposure protocols used are common among paediatric dentists with none of their specific characteristics having a significant effect.

ESTIMATING RADIATION DOSE TO MAJOR ORGANS IN DENTAL X-RAY EXAMINATIONS: A PHANTOM STUDY

The radiation doses absorbed by major organs of males and females were studied from three types of dental X-ray devices. The absorbed doses from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), panoramic and intraoral X-ray machines were in the range of 0.23-1314.85 μGy, and were observed to be high in organs and tissues located in or adjacent to the irradiated area, there were discrepancies in organ doses between male and female. Thyroid, salivary gland, eye lens and brain were the organs that received higher absorbed doses. The organ absorbed doses were considerably lower than the diagnostic reference level for dental radiography in China. The calculated effective radiation doses for males and females were 56.63, 8.15, 2.56 μSv and 55.18, 8.99, 2.39 μSv, respectively, when using CBCT, the panoramic X-ray machine and intraoral X-ray machine. The effective radiation dose caused by CBCT was much higher than those of panoramic and intraoral X-ray machines.