Evaluation of the radiation dose from dental cone-beam computed tomography: short communication

BACKGROUND: Dental cone-beam computed tomography offers several advantages, including superior image quality, an acceptable size, and a lower radiation dose compared to conventional CT scanning. Moreover, cone-beam computed tomography is more suitable for dentists to acquire and analyze images, and it provides greater comfort for patients due to technological advancements. Cone-beam computed tomography generates three-dimensional images of the head and neck and is utilized across various dental fields, including dental surgery, endodontics, trauma, implant dentistry, head and neck lesions and diseases, and orthodontics. AIM: To evaluate seven tissue doses using three scan protocols on a cone-beam computed tomography scanner KaVo OP 3D Pro, and to investigate the effect of resolution options on the effective dose. METHODS: Three protocols were employed in this study. Three voxel size settings were assessed: 420 μm, 380 μm, and 320 μm. The field of view and tube voltage were kept constant at 13 cm × 15 cm and 90 kV, respectively. Other were, scan time (8–27 seconds) and dose range (50–350 μSv). The absorbed and effective doses were calculated for each cone-beam computed tomography scan protocol. RESULTS: In the throat, the highest dose was absorbed by tissue-2 (7.719 mGy). In the teeth, the highest dose was absorbed by tissue-3 (16.326 mGy). In the cheek, the maximum dose was absorbed by tissue-3 (25.053 mGy). In the eyes, the highest dose was absorbed by tissue-3 (12.962 mGy). In the forehead, the highest dose was absorbed by tissue3 (8.465 mGy). In the mid-skull, the highest dose was absorbed by tissue-3 (20.904 mGy). In the occipital region, the highest dose was absorbed by tissue-2 (7.8 mGy). Regarding effective doses, protocol-3 generally resulted in higher values, except in the throat and occipital regions, where tissue-2 absorbed more. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that changes in cone-beam computed tomography exposure parameters influence the effective dose. Adjusting resolution settings results in variations in effective doses, highlighting the significance of selecting appropriate exposure factors, such as voxel size or resolution options. Dentists must carefully consider imaging parameters, as these decisions have a direct impact on patient exposure.