Three-dimensional imaging in paediatric dentistry: a must-have or you’re not up-to-date?

Excerpt

Radiation protection guidelines are very simple and straightforward and are simply common sense. First of all the exposure should be justified, secondly the exposure should be as low as reasonably achievable, and finally the exposure should result in the best diagnostic image possible. These are the three basic principles of radiation protection and they hold for every exposure to ionising radiation, whether two- or three-dimensional. Nonetheless, numerous publications mention the use of three dimensional (3D) imaging in dentistry as a diagnostic aid without assessing the potential health risk for a patient. There is no doubt that a 3D procedure will provide a better-looking image than a traditional two-dimensional (2D) one. However, the basic principles of radiation protection should still be followed carefully at all times. This is even more important with regard to the use of ionising radiation in children. …