title: Low-Dose Radiation Risks of Computerized Tomography and Cone Beam Computerized Tomography: Reducing the Fear and Controversy.
abstract: Regulations for protecting humans against stochastic biological effects from ionizing radiation are based on the linear no-threshold (LNT) risk assessment model, which states that any amount of radiation exposure may lead to cancer in a population. Based on the LNT model, risk from low-dose radiation increases linearly with increasing doses of radiation. Imaging procedures in medicine and dentistry are an important source of low-dose ionizing radiation. The increased use of computerized tomography (CT) and cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) has raised health concerns regarding exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation. In oral and maxillofacial surgery and implant dentistry, CBCT is now at the forefront of this controversy. Although caution has been expressed, there have been no direct studies linking radiation exposure from CT and CBCT used in dental imaging with cancer induction. This article describes the concerns about radiation exposure in dental imaging regarding the use of CT.
authors.affiliation: 1  Private practice in oral, maxillofacial and reconstructive surgery, Aiea, Hawaii; Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, Philadelphia, Penn.
authors.forename: Cameron Y S
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: 2  Center for Biotechnology Education, Advanced Academic Programs, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Rockville, Md.
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Koval
authors.affiliation: 3  Temple University, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Philadelphia, Penn.
authors.forename: Jon B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: cancer; computerized tomography; cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT); hormesis; linear no-threshold (LNT) risk assessment model; low-dose ionizing radiation