Sean K. Carlson, DMD, MS

This Carlson Orthodontics’ Podcast explains the details of a recent research project by John Ludlow, DDS and his team. Dr. Ludlow's paper is titled "Assessment of phantom dosimetry and image quality of i-CAT FLX CBCT". It reveals how x-ray dose of 3D CBCT orthodontic imaging is now less than conventional 2D imaging in orthodontics. This is a landmark paper that will change the way we practice orthodontics.

This is Part III of a podcast series on dental and orthodontic x-rays. This provides an update of the information covered in Part I and Part II. It reviews x-ray dosimetry, which is the calculation of the absorbed dose in human tissue resulting from the exposure to ionizing x-ray radiation. Dosimetry can be a confusing subject for even the savviest of orthodontists. Unknown to many, recent advances in CBCT technology have reduced x-ray exposure to patients considerably. And although there is a common misconception that CBCT imaging dramatically increases the exposure risk when compared to conventional two-dimensional orthodontic imaging, recent data shows there is minimal difference. In fact, when the truth about risk quantification is added to the equation, both orthodontists and dentists alike should be put at ease when it comes to their exposure liability.

This is Part II of a three part series on dental and orthodontic x-rays. This covers the risks of dental x-rays and how they relate to other day-to-day risks that we take. Emphasis is placed on the Health Physics literature and the quantification of risk. There are many ways of expressing quantified risk, but here we will use the loss of life expectancy (LLE). Viewers will be relieved to learn that many common risks that we consider negligible (drinking coffee, driving, riding a bike) are far greater risks than anything encountered in dental x-ray imaging. If fact, a single 3D Orthodontic X-ray (CBCT) is equal in risk to crossing the street 38 times.

This is Part I of a three part series on dental and orthodontic x-rays. It is an excerpt from a 2010 lecture given by Dr. Sean K. Carlson at the North East Society of Orthodontists meeting in Montreal, Canada 2010. It covers some basics of x-ray dosimetry as they relate to common dental and orthodontic diagnostic procedures. It also covers the current recommendations by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). To ensure patient protection, the risks associated with dental x-rays should be minimized by all practitioners. This Podcast describes the risk relationships between everyday background radiation exposure, radiation exposure of common events like air travel, and radiation exposure from dental and orthodontic x-ray imaging (including 3-D CBCT x-rays). Viewers will be relieved to learn that radiation exposure in the dental office is minimal when compared with the common things we do everyday.