Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Effects of Dental Radiographic Modalities on Buccal Mucosal Cells in Children

Abstract Dental radiography is an important diagnostic tool for the detection and assessment of extent dental caries accurate treatment planning. There no safe limit X-ray exposure. The associated risks exposure are higher in children due to a rate cell proliferation them, compared with adults. This study aimed assess genotoxic cytotoxic effects radiographic modalities on buccal mucosal cells children. interventional evaluated 80 between 3 12 years who required periapical, panoramic, bitewing, or bitewing plus panoramic Twenty eligible patients were assigned each aforementioned four groups. Buccal scraped bilaterally by plastic spatula after complete rinsing oral cavity. collected specimens directly mounted microscopic slides air-drying, they fixed 80% methanol Giemsa stain. then inspected under light microscope at 400x magnification cytogenetic changes. Data tabulated analyzed SPSS version 20 p < 0.001 level significance. results showed significant increase frequency karyolysis, karyorrhexis, pyknosis all groups (p 0.001). Also, number micronuclei significantly increased 0.05). radiographies can be cytotoxic, while as well.