Investigation of the optimal tube voltage kV exposure parameters for general X-ray of dental cone-beam computed tomography: A cephalometric view
This study aims to investigate and optimize the effect of different exposure parameters on the reduction of noise and radiation dose and to find the optimal balance among tube voltage, tube current, and exposure time for the latest-generation cone-beam computed tomography system (CBCT) at Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, using the dose area product (DAP) meter. The DAP meter was attached to the X-ray detector of the CBCT device to cover the entire irradiated area and then connected to a Raysafe electrometer. The DAP meter was scanned with the following exposure parameter: constant tube voltage of 70 kV with a varying tube current ranging from 5 mA – 16 mA and then at a constant tube current of 10mA and a varying tube voltage ranging from 60 kV – 80 kV. For each scanning protocol, the noise was determined. At constant tube voltage and varying tube current, the noise level ranged from 41.99 – 82.16, while at constant tube current and varying tube voltage, the noise level ranged from 50.66 – 60.76 with equal exposure time. A 0.09% increase in noise was observed when the tube voltage was varied. Therefore, low noise protocols should consist of a reduction in the tube current setting rather than a reduction in peak voltage (kVp), as this would result in a smaller level of noise and consequently less quality degradation in the image.
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