Clinical evaluation of dose reduction on image quality of panoramic radiographs.

AIM The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of tube current reduction on image quality using medium and regular intensifying screens as well as a digital system for panoramic radiography. METHODS AND MATERIALS A total of 150 panoramic images of 75 patients were obtained in the study. The initial images were taken at standard exposure settings, and secondary images were exposed with the tube current reduced at different rates. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the two exposures for Group 3 (the rate of dose reduction 25%) while a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was found in Group 4 (the rate of dose reduction 50%) using medium intensifying screens for all observers. No statistically significant difference was found between the two exposures on digital panoramic images. CONCLUSION According to the results of this study a dose reduction of 25% was achieved for medium intensifying screens and for digital panoramic images without any loss of image quality. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE A substantial reduction in radiation exposure can be achieved in conventional panoramic radiography using a medium intensifying screen and in digital panoramic radiography without any loss of image quality needed for radiological evaluation of anatomical structures and pathological conditions.