Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of cone beam computed tomography in children

Background Dental radiographs are essential tools for diagnosis. However, there are significant concerns about the dangerous effect of radiation especially on children. The aim of this study was to evaluate genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in the exfoliated cells of buccal mucosa of children subjected to Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Methods The study included 18 healthy children aged (9-12 years) who were exposed to CBCT. All CBCT scans were performed with the i-CAT CBCT. Exfoliated buccal cells were scraped from the left and right cheek immediately before the exposure, after 10 +/- 2 days, and after 1 month. Cells were stained using Feulgen/fast green stain and examined under light microscopy. Genotoxicity (Micronuclei) and cytotoxicity (condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, pyknosis, and karyolysis) were scored. Statistical analysis was performed using the McNemar test, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test, and Mann-Whitney U test at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results There were statistically significant differences in the mean percentages of micronuclei, condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, pyknosis, and karyolysis before and 10 +/- 2 days after the CBCT scan (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of micronuclei, condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, or pyknosis before and 1 month after the exposure (p > 0.05) except for karyolysis (p < 0.05). Conclusions CBCT may induce genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in buccal mucosa cells of children. Therefore, CBCT should not be prescribed unless necessary as it cannot be considered a risk-free procedure.