title: Genotoxicity of digital panoramic radiography on oral epithelial tissues.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the genotoxic effects of x-rays on gingival and buccal epithelial cells during panoramic dental radiography using the micronucleus test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty otherwise healthy subjects who required a diagnostic panoramic radiograph and met the selection criteria were included in the study. Epithelial cells were obtained from the maxillary anterior gingiva and buccal mucosa by gentle scraping with a wooden spatula immediately before exposure and again 10 days after exposure. Cytologic preparations were made according to the Papanicolaou staining method and analyzed under a light microscope for micronucleus count.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean ± SD micronucleus count of gingival epithelial cells was 1.08 ± 0.76 before radiographic exposure and 1.6 ± 0.93 after exposure. This increase was statistically significant (P < .05). Similarly, there was an increase in the postexposure micronucleus count in the buccal mucosa, but this increase was not significant (P > .05). A significant correlation was observed between the age of subjects and micronucleus count, although no such correlation was found between sex and micronucleus count.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although radiation-related effects from panoramic radiography were reduced compared with full-mouth intraoral periapical radiographs or radiotherapy, the results of this study show that genotoxic effects do take place. Thus, radiographs should be taken with adequate protection measures and only when the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Maharishi Markandeshwar College of Dental Sciences and Research, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India. soheyl@cliffhanger.com
authors.forename: Soheyl
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.forename: Shambulingappa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pallagatti
authors.forename: Harshaminder
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grewal
authors.forename: Aman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalucha
authors.forename: Harkamal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004249:DNA Damage; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult