X-ray diagnostics effective with reduced radiation dose

Iveta Ramonaite, Dental Tribune International

Wed. 3. November 2021

save

MALMÖ, Sweden: Radiographic diagnostics are widely used in healthcare as they provide diagnostically important information that can help improve treatment outcomes. For example, a CBCT scanning protocol is a valuable examination tool in oral and maxillofacial radiology and is readily available in dental offices because of its ease of use. However, a CBCT scan produces a relatively high radiation dose compared with other scanning protocols, and new research has shown that its effectiveness remains unchanged after reducing the radiation dose to one-fifth of the manufacturer-recommended level.

To get a better look at an injury site, a surgeon often refers a patient for CBCT scans. For example, a CBCT scan can be a valuable tool for diagnosis and treatment planning for patients with temporomandibular disorders as it helps clinicians to perform assessments of bone changes with high diagnostic accuracy.

“With the CBCT, we take pictures of the mouth and jaw from three angles—from the front, from below, and from the side; this is in order to be able to answer the question that comes with the referral,” Dr Kristina Hellén-Halme, senior lecturer in the Faculty of Odontology at Malmö University, said in a press release. She went on to add that a radiographic examination is not a risk in itself but that it should not be taken without a valid reason.

Since the use of CBCT scans in dentistry is growing, a recent study sought to evaluate whether the high dose of patient radiation that is often used in CBCT imaging is really necessary to provide acceptable image quality.

Dr Kristina Hellén-Halme (Image: Hanna Svederborn)

“Many different scanning protocols are available, and sometimes the urge from clinicians to have more or less noise-free images can increase the radiation dose to patients without adding more information to the specific aim of the investigation,” the researchers explained.

In the study, 34 adult patients referred for CBCT imaging of the temporomandibular joint underwent two examinations with two scanning protocols: a manufacturer-recommended protocol and a low-dose protocol where the tube current was reduced to 20% of the recommended protocol. The researchers noted that manufacturer-recommended exposure settings for the CBCT scanners vary widely and may result in varying amounts of radiation doses.

After evaluating the visibility of temporomandibular joint anatomic structures and image quality, the radiologists who were tasked to analyse the images concluded that both the low and high dose images yielded diagnostically comparable results. Therefore, the findings suggest that high image quality is not necessary for all clinical situations and that dental professionals should reduce the recommended patient radiation dose provided that it does not affect diagnostic outcomes. They noted that this is especially important when treating younger patients who are at a higher risk from radiographic exposure than adults owing to the radiosensitivity of their developing tissues.

The study, titled “Evaluation of a low-dose protocol for cone beam computed tomography of the temporomandibular joint”, was published in the September 2020 issue of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology.

Tags:

To post a reply please login or register

Straumann BLX implant: First human case study yields positive results for molar replacement

BASEL, Switzerland: Straumann is pleased to report the very positive results of the first human case study to track the condition and progress of a patient ...

New study illuminates patient perspectives on AI diagnostics in dentistry

AARHUS, Denmark: As the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the dental industry continues to accelerate, there appears to be a growing ...

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in dental offices very unlikely, study says

COLUMBUS, Ohio, U.S.: Researchers worldwide investigate COVID-19, and every week, new information about the illness is discovered or confirmed. A recent ...

No loss of diagnostic imaging quality with low-radiation settings

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., USA/HELSINKI, Finland: While the individual risk of oral and maxillofacial imaging is small, radiation dose is a significant public ...

Reduced radiation possible with AI prediction of root morphology

NAGOYA, Japan: With the aim of clarifying the relationship between panoramic radiographic appearance and longitudinal CBCT classification of root ...

Fluoride reduces dental risk from minimal and extended breastfeeding, study says

ADELAIDE, Australia: A recent study has examined the interaction between fluoridated water consumption and breastfeeding duration in relation to dental ...

BIOLASE REPAIR Perio protocol shows superior results in study

IRVINE, Calif., U.S.: BIOLASE, a global leader in dental lasers, has reported the results of a clinical trial conducted at the McGuire Institute. Designed ...

Study raises awareness to mitigate diagnostic overshadowing in vulnerable patients in dentistry

LONDON, UK: A recent UK study has pointed to the need for education and awareness in dental teams to avoid diagnostic overshadowing—misattributing ...

Poor glycaemic control results in tooth loss in middle age, study finds

ŌTSU, Japan: In the largest study of its kind, researchers in Japan have analysed glycaemic control and natural tooth retention to investigate the ...

Oral health under threat from climate change, says new study

NEW DELHI, India: While the effects of climate change on general health are well documented, its impact on oral health remains less explored. A new scoping ...

Education

Live webinar
Tue. 23 September 2025
10:00 am EST (New York)