[The radiation loading of the crystalline lens and thyroid during high-resolution computed tomography of the teeth]

The radiation dose to the ocular lens and thyroid gland during high resolution CT of the jaw was measured in a head phantom and in 9 patients. The dose for the lens and thyroid gland resulting from 10 cuts was 0.7 and 0.9 mGy, respectively. By shielding the thyroid gland against scatter a reduction of 20% is possible. Radiation exposure is considerably higher than during conventional dental x-ray examinations. Compared with CT examinations of the head and neck region, radiation exposure of both organs is about the same.