Practices of Dentists about Digital Techniques in Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety

Abstract

adiology is one of the most important tool for a dental practitioner to perform routine procedures. From diagnosis to treatment and follow-up, radiography plays an integral role in ensuring a successful outcome.1 Digital radiology was introduced to dentistry in 90's.2 Lately, there has been a steady growth of digital technology worldwide. Digital sensors of various types have become a part of mainstream dentistry.3 Along-with the two dimensional digital imaging, a lot of research and advancement in three dimensional dental imaging has also taken place. 'Cone Beam Computed Tomography' or simply CBCT has also become a standard of care for diagnosis and treatment planning worldwide. The advancement has reached such a stage where information from a CBCT scan is merged digitally with an intra oral scan to produce virtual anatomical designs of patients oral structures. This combined with a 3D printer enables the dental practitioner to deliver treatments with pin point accuracy and minimum morbidity.4 In spite of all these advancements, and reduction of radiation dosage due to digital techniques, basic rules of safety still apply. There has been a concern among researchers 1. Professor, Department of Operative Dentistry, Dow Dental College DUHS, Karachi. 2. Assistant Professor, Department of Operative Dentistry, Dow Dental College DUHS, Karachi. 3. Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Dow Dental College DUHS, Karachi. 4. Lecturer, Department of Operative Dentistry, Dow Dental College DUHS, Karachi. 5. Lecturer, Department of Operative Dentistry, Dow Dental College DUHS, Karachi. 6. Lecturer, Department of Orthodontics, Dow Dental College DUHS, Karachi. Corresponding author: “Prof. Dr. Arshad Hasan” < arshad.hasan@duhs.edu.pk >