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Effect of dose reduction in digital dental panoramic radiography on image quality
B Dannewitz1, Stefan Hassfeld, P Eickholz
1Section of Peridontology, Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Objectives:
To investigate the effect of dose reduction in digital panoramic radiography on subjective image quality and diagnostic performance.
Methods:
Two digital panoramic radiographs were obtained with the Orthophos DS(Sirona, Bensheim, Germany) of patients (n=100) receiving dental care. The first image was taken at the standard exposure setting. For the second image the tube current was reduced by between 48 and 53%, 63 and 69%, 75 and 80% and 80 and 81% respectively. Ten observers rated both images for 21 specific anatomical details and 30 pathological findings.
Results:
All radiographs taken at reduced mA levels had a significantly inferior score (P<0.01) for anatomical details. There was no difference in the scores for pathological findings.
Conclusion:
Radiographs obtained at reduced mA had inferior subjective image quality, but there was no difference in diagnostic performance. Thus, a reduction in tube current of approximately 50% is recommended. In certain circumstances such as follow-up radiographic examinations, a reduction of up to 65% should be considered.