Comparison of the Operator and Surrounding Dose When Using Portable Intraoral X-ray Devices

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the scattered radiation dose using three portable dental radiographic units: iRay D3, EZRay Air, and Epix. The absorbed dose was measured at 0.5 and 1 m distances, every 15° in the horizontal plane, using an ionization chamber. The maximum number of radiographs per day using the portable units was calculated considering a dose limit of 50 mSv/year and 20 mSv/year. The doses were higher in the Epix unit compared to the other two devices. Anterior exposure was generally higher than the sides or posterior exposure. With a dose limit of 50 mSv/year, considering a distance of 0.5 m between the operator and the X-ray unit, a maximum of 961, 565, and 38 radiographs are permitted daily using iRay D3, EZRay Air, and Epix, respectively. Considering a dose limit of 20 mSv/year, with a distance of 0.5 m between the operator and the radiographic device, a maximum of 384, 226, and 15 radiographs are permitted daily using iRay D3, EZRay Air, and Epix portable units, respectively. It is highly unlikely that an operator would reach occupational dose limits when using iRay D3 and EZRay Air. The Epix radiographic device allows for fewer daily radiographs and should be avoided for daily use.