Cytological changes of oral mucosa following lateral cephalometry and panoramic radiograph

Abstract

Background: Despite the wide use of radiographic examination as a diagnostic tool in dental practice radiography can induce cytotoxic effect. Aims and objectives: To assess DNA damages of buccal mucosa cells in children and adults who have been undergone panoramic radiography and cephalometry during orthodontic treatment. Materials and Method: The study sample consists of thirty randomly selected patients who were under going panoramic radiography and cephalometry examination for their orthodontic therapy. The patients were allotted to two groups of 15 adults and 15 children. Exfoliated buccal mucosa cells were collected immediately before and 10 days after X-ray exposure and the cellular changes were evaluated. Statistical analysis of the data was done by SPSS v16. Results: The results of this study showed that there was no significant difference in micronuclei of oral mucosa cells before and after oral radiography in children (P<0.05). Both group post exposure samples had increased cytotoxicity indicators such as karyolysis, karyolexy and pyknosis. There was no statistically significant difference in micronuclei numbers between children and adults (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study results concludes that absorbed dose from dental X-ray cannot make genotoxicity changes.