CBCT Dosimetry: Orthodontic Considerations

This article reviews the general principles of radiation biology and dose measurement. Effective doses for typical imaging examinations used in orthodontics include: panoramic, 5.5 to 22 microsieverts (μSv); cephalometric, 2.4 to 6.2 μSv; large field-of-view cone beam CT, 58.9 to 1025.4 μSv. This can be compared with average annual natural background radiation of 3000 μSv/yr. Issues of radiation risk, particularly for children, as well as mechanisms for dose reduction are discussed.