Research abstract
British Dental Journal 198, 565 - 569 (2005)
Published online: 14 May 2005 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4812304
Subject Category: Radiology
A comparison of two radiographic assessment protocols for patients with periodontal disease
W M M Jenkins1, L M Brocklebank2, S M Winning3, M Wylupek4, A Donaldson5 & R M Strang6
- Fifty patients with generalised severe periodontitis were examined to identify which teeth required radiographic assessment.
- Panoramic radiographs were taken and examined. It was decided that, on average, 4.3 supplementary periapical views would be required for adequate periodontal assessment of all the affected teeth and, if teeth requiring dental radiographic assessment were added, 5.1 supplementary periapical views would be required.
- This paper demonstrates that the effective radiation dose from a series of periapical radiographs of all the affected teeth would, in most cases, have been less than the dose from the panoramic-plus-periapicals approach.
- These conclusions are specific for the equipment and exposure factors used with which, therefore, it is difficult to justify the use of panoramic radiography for periodontal assessment.
- This paper also demonstrates how evidence can be obtained to develop radiographic selection criteria of the periodontal tissues.
Abstract
Objective Radiographic assessment of patients with generalised severe periodontitis may be undertaken with a panoramic view and supplementary periapicals. The purpose of this study was to estimate the effective radiation dose from this form of radiographic assessment, and to compare it with an estimate of the dose from a series of periapicals of all the affected teeth.
Design Cross-sectional observational study.
Setting Departments of Periodontology and Radiology, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School.
Method Fifty consecutive patients [were recruited] with sufficiently widespread advanced periodontitis to require at least seven periapical radiographs. [Following new local guidelines, a panoramic view was taken.] The adequacy of the image of every affected tooth and the number of supplementary periapicals required was determined by a panel of four examiners who also calculated the number of periapicals which would have been taken if panoramic radiography had not been available. An effective dose of 0.001 mSv for one periapical and 0.007 mSv for a panoramic view was assumed.
Results The panoramic-plus-periapicals approach delivered an estimated additional effective dose to 86% of patients, in the order of 0.001 – 0.007 mSv.
Conclusions Within the parameters of this investigation, the anticipated effective radiation dose from a series of periapical radiographs of all selected teeth would, for the great majority of patients, have been less than the dose from a panoramic-plus-periapicals approach.
- Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, Department of Periodontology, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ
- Senior Lecturer in Oral Radiology, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ
- Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, Department of Periodontology, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ
- Superintendent Radiographer, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ
- Staff Grade in Restorative Dentistry, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ
- Clinical Physicist, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ
Correspondence to: W M M Jenkins1
Department of Periodontology, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ
e-mail: Bill.Jenkins@northglasgow.scot.nhs.uk
