Dental radiographs carry some of the lowest radiation doses in all of diagnostic medicine.2
Dose Spectrum: Periapical, Panoramic, CBCT
- Periapical Film: 0.002–0.005 mSv (~15 hours of natural background).2
- Panoramic Radiograph (OPG): 0.010–0.025 mSv (~2.5 days of background).2
- Dental CBCT: 0.030–0.150 mSv (10 to 30 times lower dose than medical head CT).3
ADA 2024 Policy on Thyroid Shielding
The American Dental Association (ADA 2024) and NCRP Report 177 no longer recommend routine thyroid collars and lead aprons.1, 2 Modern digital sensors and rectangular collimation restrict the beam strictly to the oral cavity, while thyroid collars often obscure anatomy and force repeat exposures that double patient dose.1
References
- American Dental Association (ADA). Optimizing Radiation Safety in Dentistry: Clinical Recommendations and Expert Panel Report. J Am Dent Assoc 2024; 155(2):93–104.
- NCRP. Radiation Protection in Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Imaging. NCRP Report No. 177, National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, 2019.
- European Commission / SEDENTEXCT Project. Radiation Protection: Cone Beam CT for Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology. Evidence-Based Guidelines (Radiation Protection No. 172), 2012.
- ICRP. Radiological Protection in Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). ICRP Publication 129, Ann. ICRP 44(1), 2015.
- İlişkili DoseSave yazıları: Hastalarda Kurşun Önlük Paradigması · Hamilelik ve Radyoloji · Doğal Fon Radyasyonu
Sıkça Sorulan SorularFrequently Asked QuestionsHäufig gestellte FragenPreguntas frecuentes
How much radiation does a dental X-ray deliver?
A single digital periapical dental X-ray delivers about 0.005 mSv (5 microsieverts). This is less than half a day's worth of unavoidable natural background radiation from nature.
Why are lead aprons and thyroid collars no longer routinely recommended in dentistry?
According to ADA and NCRP 2024 guidelines, modern digital sensors and rectangular collimators tightly focus the beam strictly onto the teeth. A thyroid collar can accidentally obscure diagnostic anatomy, forcing a repeat exposure and doubling the patient's dose.