Referring Doctors

Radiation Exposure

At Dental Imaging Centers we have combined the latest digital 2-D and 3-D CBCT radiographic imaging units and techniques to ensure that referring practitioners can prescribe appropriate images that they require while adhering to the ALARA principle (As Low as Reasonably Achievable).

ALARA is supported by the American Dental Association and dictates that every precaution should be taken to minimize radiation exposure to the patient. Any use of ionizing radiation should only be used when and where it is indicated. Doctors use their best judgement in prescribing 2-D or 3-D CBCT for their patients. The benefits of taking a CBCT scan should outweigh the risks of additional radiation exposure. In those situations where 2-D digital images are sufficient for diagnosis and treatment, doctors can feel assured that our intraoral, panoramic and one-shot cephalometric images are taken such that patient receives the minimum radiation.

However, 3-D CBCT is a technology that is considered by some to be the standard of care for certain procedures. Additionally, practitioners may decide in certain instances that a single 3-D scan can be used to replace a battery of 2-D x-rays.

To aid practitioners and better educate the public, below is a summary listing of the radiation doses as published by the manufacturers for the machines we use:

2-D Intraoral (Dexis Platinum Sensor with Gendex 765 DC):

2-D Panoramic (Kodak 9000C): 14.7 µSv

2-D Cephalometric “One Shot” (Kodak 9000C): 4 µSv

3-D I-CAT Next Generation: 36 – 74 µSv

3-D Kodak 9000C: 5.3 – 38.3 µSv


Kodak 9000 Dosimetry /images/CBS/pdf.jpg

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