The empirical formula for calculating the incident air Kerma in intraoral radiographic imaging

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to determine the empirical formula for calculating the incident air kerma (Ki), used as a patient dose descriptor in the intraoral radiographic imaging. Methods: The data for the formula were collected during the regular annual inspection of intraoral dental X-ray units in 2018, 2019 and early 2020. The measurement data of 50 X-ray units were processed to develop the formula. Exposure factors for imaging molars of the upper jaw of an average patient in a clinical setting were used in the measurement. The formula validity was statistically evaluated using coefficient of correlation, standard error of the fitted function and the mean relative percentage deviation. Results: The measurement values of the radiation doses and calculated values obtained by using the final formula showed good agreement – the mean relative percentage deviation values less than ±15%. Conclusions: Although there are differences in X-ray units, voltages, manufacturers and device architectures (single-phase and high-frequency), the measurement data comply well with computed ones in all cases.