Absorbed radiation doses during tomographic examinations in dental implant planning: a study in humans.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this human study was to evaluate the radiation doses in the buccal cavity and face, during panoramic, spiral conventional tomography, and helicoidal computerized tomography exams.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Lithium fluoride TL detectors (TLD-100) were placed on the skin at anatomic points such as parotid glands, submandibular glands, thyroid glands, and crystalline to assess the skin entrance dose in 19 patients who were to undergo dental implant surgery.

RESULTS

In the panoramic exam, maximum doses were observed near the parotid glands at 1.57 (±18%) mGy on the right and 1.89 (±18%) mGy on the left. In the spiral conventional tomography exam, the maximum dose was 4.41 (±21%) mGy near the right and left parotid glands, whereas near the right or left submandibular glands, the maximum doses reached 40.7 (±18%) mGy. In the helicoidal computerized tomography for mandibular and maxilla exams, the maximum dose was 40.9 (±15%) mGy near the parotid glands and 41.0 (±18%) mGy near the submandibular glands. Near the thyroid and eye lens, doses were lower than 0.23 (±21%) in all exams.

CONCLUSION

Regardless of the exam target area, the submandibular and parotid glands represented the most irradiated organs. This data suggests that efforts should be made by professionals to improve and optimize methods in order to reduce doses without losing the information necessary for treatment planning.