Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of radiation doses absorbed by soft tissues (entrance skin dose) with a low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) protocol compared to conventional X-ray techniques commonly used in orthodontics.MethodsThe amount of skin dose has been evaluated using a tissue-equivalent head-neck radiotherapy humanoid phantom with thermoluminescent dosimeters placed at the level of eye lens, parotid glands, and thyroid glands. CT images have been taken using a Sensation 16 Siemens CT scan and a low-dose protocol (15 mAs, 1 pitch, 2.5 mGy (CTDIvol), 80 kV, 1-mm slice thickness).ResultsThe difference in image quality between traditional X-ray techniques and low-dose spiral CT was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The difference in mean absorbed dose instead was not statistically significant.ConclusionsOur protocol allows a more accurate orthodontic diagnosis without an increase of radiological risk for the patients in comparison to traditional X-ray techniques.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of radiation doses absorbed by soft tissues with a low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) protocol compared to conventional X-ray techniques commonly used in orthodontics
The exams traditionally used for both diagnosis and follow-up comprehend panoramic radiograph (PR), postero-anterior cephalogram (PAC), and lateral cephalogram (LC)
The aim of the present study is to comparatively evaluate the amount of entrance skin doses, obtained with a low-dose spiral CT protocol and those related to conventional techniques (PR, PAC, and LC), commonly used for orthodontic diagnosis
Summary
The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of radiation doses absorbed by soft tissues (entrance skin dose) with a low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) protocol compared to conventional X-ray techniques commonly used in orthodontics. Orthodontic diagnosis is primarily based on a morphological and quantitative description of cranial structures in sagittal, vertical, and transversal planes [1]. The LC is a technique to transport human craniofacial structure into a measurable geometric scheme to evaluate the morphology and growth of craniofacial skeleton on sagittal and vertical planes [2]. PAC is often used to evaluate anomalies in the maxilla and in the mandible on the transverse plane including crossbite with ensuing functional or structural deviations of jaws. These conventional exams, present some limitations, related to their bi-dimensionality, to the superimposition of different anatomical structures on the same plane and to the radiographic projection, which is influenced by. In 1982, Timms et al [10] used CT to examine the basal bone changes associated to rapid maxillary expansion
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