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Update on the biological effects of ionizing radiation, relative dose factors and radiation hygiene
Author(s) -
White SC,
Mallya SM
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
australian dental journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1834-7819
pISSN - 0045-0421
DOI - 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2011.01665.x
Subject(s) - ionizing radiation , medicine , medical physics , radiography , medical imaging , radiation dose , radiation exposure , digital imaging , nuclear medicine , radiology , irradiation , computer science , digital image , image processing , computer vision , physics , nuclear physics , image (mathematics)
Diagnostic imaging is an indispensable part of contemporary medical and dental practice. Over the last few decades there has been a dramatic increase in the use of ionizing radiation for diagnostic imaging. The carcinogenic effects of high‐dose exposure are well known. Does diagnostic radiation rarely cause cancer? We don’t know but we should act as if it does. Accordingly, dentists should select patients wisely – only make radiographs when there is patient‐specific reason to believe there is a reasonable expectation the radiograph will offer unique information influencing diagnosis or treatment. Low‐dose examinations should be made: intraoral imaging – use fast film or digital sensors, thyroid collars, rectangular collimation; panoramic and lateral cephalometric imaging – use digital systems or rare‐earth film screen combinations; and cone beam computed tomography – use low‐dose machines, restrict field size to region of interest, reduce mA and length of exposure arc as appropriate.