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Micronucleus test in buccal epithelium cells from patients subjected to panoramic radiography

¹ Laboratory Radiation Genetics, National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Sofia, Bulgaria; ² Faculty of Dentistry, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria; ³ Department of Radiology, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria

*Correspondence to: Valeria Hadjidekova, Laboratory Radiation Genetics, National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Sofia 1756, Bulgaria; Email: valeriahadjidekova{at}yahoo.com

Received 28 July 2005; revised 19 January 2006; accepted 8 February 2006

Objectives: To evaluate the possible genotoxic effect of radiation exposure for dental diagnostic purposes as measured by the formation of micronuclei.

Methods: The micronucleus test was applied to buccal epithelium cells, which are target cells for dental radiography. Specimens of exfoliated buccal cells were collected from patients subjected to panoramic radiography. Samples were obtained from 32 patients, 12 male and 20 female, aged from 24 years to 73 years, before and 10±2 days after panoramic radiation exposure.

Results: No significant increase in the frequency of cells with micronuclei and total number of micronuclei after panoramic tomography was detected. Mean values of buccal cells with micronuclei±standard deviation (SD) before and after radiation examination were 2.34±1.49% and 2.81±1.64%, respectively. A significant correlation between the age of investigated subjects and the initial frequency of micronuclei in buccal cells was observed (r=0.60, P<0.01).

Conclusion: Panoramic radiographic examination does not induce micronuclei in target buccal epithelium cells.

Keywords: panoramic radiography; radiation hazard; micronucleus test; buccal epithelium cells

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