X rays are an important tool that help dentists to diagnose, plan treatments and monitor both treatments and lesion
development. There are three types of dental radiological procedure: i) intraoral bitewing or periapical radiography
(Figure 1); ii) panoramic examinations (Figure 2); and iii) cephalometric examinations (Figure 3). According to the [UNSCEAR Report] and [IAEA RS-G-1.5], dental examinations are the most frequent
type of radiological procedure, and account for 21% of the total on a global scale. The estimated annual number of
dental examinations is about 520 million, with a frequency ranging from less than one to more than 800 per 1000
population per year. Individual doses are small but collective doses can not be ignored due to the high volume of
procedures. [EC-RP 136].
|
|
|
|
| Figure 1. Intraoral radiography |
Figure 2. Panoramic radiography |
Figure 3. Cephalometric radiography |
Return to top
References
- UNITED
NATIONS Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation, UNSCEAR
Report Volume 1, United Nations, New York (2000).
- INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, Radiological
Protection for Medical Exposure to Ionizing Radiation, Safety Guide, RS-G-1.5, IAEA, Vienna (2002).
- EUROPEAN COMMISSION, European
Guidelines on Radiation Protection in Dental Radiology, RP 136, Luxembourg (2004).
