10/7: Radiation Risks/Benefits Flashcards
Deterministic effects of radiation have a
Threshold and severity is proportional to dose
This is a side-effect of head and neck cancer treatment
Radiation erythema
Stochastic effects of radiation have
No dose threshold
probability of occurrence is proportional to dose
severity of effects does not depend on dose
1 day of background radiation is how much exposure?
8.5 microSv
Stochastic effects to somatic cells cause what?
malignancies
Stochastic effects to germ cells cause what?
Genetic mutations that are inheritable
This effect is only seen in the person affected, NOT future generations
Somatic mutations/effects
This effect is not seen in the person affected, ONLY in future generations
Genetic effects/mutations
What is the sequence of radiation injury?
Latent period
Period of injury
Period of recovery
How can you have a shorter latent period?
Larger dose
What factors modify effects on radiation?
Total dose
Dose rate
Oxygen
Area exposed
Cell type and function
Age
Who is at risk for radiation in terms of age?
Pediatric patients
This is the amount of radiation which in light of present knowledge will not produce any harmful effects
Maximum permissible dose
What are the occupational limits? (dental people)
5 rem or 50 mSv
What are the non-occupational limits?
.5 rem or 5 mSv
What are the pregnant occupational limits?
0.5 rem or 500 eRem
What is an example of external background radiation?
Cosmic
What is an example of natural internal background radiation?
Radon
The least radiosensitive organ is the
Muscle
Medicine radiation exposure is how much?
⅙ total exposure
What cancer has the highest risk for dental radiographic exposure?
Leukemia
Thyroid
Patients who are fearful of the risks of radiographs should be made aware of what 3 things?
Magnitude of risk (small)
What we can do to minimize risk
Benefits of radiographs
What are the benefits of radiographs?
Interproximal caries diagnosis
Severity and depth of caries
Periodontal bone loss
Root configuration
Periradicular pathology
Basal bone pathology in jaws
Location of 3rd molars
Anatomy assessment for implants
Compared to visual assessment, how many times more likely are you to identify caries?
3x
