Radiation dosimetry analyses of radiographic imaging systems used for orthodontic treatment: comparison among child, adolescent, and adult patients

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effective doses of orthodontic radiographs in children, adolescents, and adults. Methods: We exposed a child, an adolescent (simulated by an adult female phantom), and adult male phantoms using common scanning protocols for panoramic radiography, cephalography, and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Glass dosimeters were placed in the organs of the phantom to measure the absorbed doses. The effective doses were deduced using tissue weighting factors as defined in the ICRP Publication 103. Results: For panoramic imaging, the parotid gland had the highest absorbed dose in the child and the submandibular glands had the highest absorbed dose in both the adolescent and adult phantoms. For cephalography, the organs and tissues located closest to the X-ray tube had the highest absorbed dose values. For CBCT, the lenses of the eyes received the highest absorbed dose. Effective doses with CBCT were the greatest in the adolescent phantom, followed by in the adult and child phantoms. Conclusions: Dental practitioners should be aware of patient age, as younger patients will incur greater risks from radiation.