Comparison of Dose-Area Product in Panoramic and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Radiographies at Adult and Pediatric Age Groups in Yazd Province, Iran

Panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) are the two methods used widely in dental radiology. In this research, the mean dose-area product (DAP) for two groups including adult and pediatric (5-10 years old) was compared in the two methods.

 In this experimental study, the data from 251 patients of seven panoramic systems and one CBCT system related to Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences (Yazd Province, Iran) was investigated. For each patient, the information including DAP values and other scan parameters for the two age groups were evaluated.

 The mean value of DAP in panoramic and CBCT systems in adult groups was 91.22 ± 6.47 and 943.8 ± 8.96 mGy.cm2</sup>, respectively. This value in pediatric groups was 55.4 ± 13.5 and 63 ± 0.0 mGy.cm2</sup>, respectively. The average of DAP value in the CBCT method in adult and pediatric groups was higher about 9 and 12 folds, respectively, compared to the panoramic examination. In addition, this value was higher significantly in adult patients in comparison to pediatrics (P < 0.05).

 Due to the wide and high exposure parameters in CBCT than panoramic, the DAP value from this method was higher especially in pediatric patients. Therefore, clinicians should consider their attention in requesting CBCT.