Radiation Protection in Orthodontics with Special Reference to Children

Imaging represents an integral part of medical decision making and is offering new possibilities and challenges in, personalized medicine". Until recent years dental imaging was based on 2-dimensional imaging but due to the introduction of, Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)"a new era has begun. Dentists have now a tool available, which allows to practice cross-sectional imaging by themselves. In addition, there is a new responsibility of reporting and acting on all displayed non-dental pathologies as well. Many of the orthodontic patients are children, which differ in many aspects from adults - in anatomy, metabolism and circulation just to name a few. But even more important radiation sensitivity is higher as compared to adults. The aim of the article is to present the basics of radiation protection as well as the typical dose burden of dental imaging as well as appropriate radiation protection actions - with special reference to children.