Dose reduction in panoramic radiography.

A modern programmable panoramic radiography unit was used to irradiate an anthropomorphic phantom in order to assess the variation in organ absorbed dose and calculated effective dose with program selection. The results of the measurements for five of the 12 programs available are presented, together with those obtained from an older, non-programmable unit. The results of dosimetry measurements are compared between units, between programs, and with previous data. Variations in radiation dose and their implications are discussed, and the opportunities for reductions in organ dose and effective dose of up to 85% and 50%, respectively, demonstrated.