Effects of reducing the parameters on dental x-ray machine on image quality and cell toxicity

ISRCTN ISRCTN98755331
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN98755331
Secondary identifying numbers 600-IRMI (5/1/6)
Submission date
30/04/2020
Registration date
06/05/2020
Last edited
24/06/2021
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Oral Health
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
A dental x-ray is essential to aid diagnosis and treatment planning. It is important to give clinicians information that cannot be obtained through physical examination. The increased use of x-rays increases radiation exposure. This has raised concern as exposure to radiation can cause cell damage and alterations which can increase the risk of developing oral cancer. One of the ways to reduce radiation exposure is by reducing the parameters available on the x-ray machine which are tube potential (kV) and tube current (mA). Although it is ideal and easy to reduce the parameters, the value and quality of the images must not be compromised. Thus, the aim of this study is to study the effect of reducing x-ray parameters on the diagnostic value and quality of the images. This study also looks at the presence of nuclear alterations after exposure to dental x-rays when the radiation dose is reduced.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 - 35 who attend the orthodontic clinic and were indicated for DPT and LC as part of routine assessment before starting orthodontic treatment

What does the study involve?
Patients are randomly allocated into two groups, control and intervention. The control group receive a standard radiation dose by setting x-rays machine in auto-mode. The intervention group receive a reduced radiation dose by decreasing the parameters on the x-ray machine. A buccal mucosa (the inner lining of the lips and cheeks) smear is taken using a brush and participants have a routine orthodontic assessment. Participants are then sent for a dental x-ray. They are called back to the clinic 10 days after the x-rays for a second buccal mucosa smear.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The participants in the intervention group may benefit from receiving a lower radiation dose. The risks include slight discomfort when the buccal mucosa smear is taken.

Where is the study run from?
Universiti Teknologi MARA (Malaysia)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2017 to August 2019

Who is funding the study?
Universiti Teknologi MARA (Malaysia)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Noraina Hafizan Norman
norainanorman@gmail.com

Contact information

Dr Liyana Ghazali
Public

Faculty of Dentistry
UiTM Sungai Buloh
Jalan Hospital
Sungai Buloh
47000
Malaysia

Phone +60 (0)139288100
Email liyaghazali@yahoo.com

Study information

Study designSingle-centre double-blind parallel-group trial randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeDiagnostic
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleEffects of scanning parameters reduction in dental radiographs on quality and diagnostics performance of the images and cytotoxicity of nuclei
Study objectives1. There is no difference in image quality and diagnostic performance between standard and reduced scanning parameters.
2. There is a reduction in nuclei cytotoxicity when scanning parameters is reduced.
Ethics approval(s)Approved 05/07/2017, Uitm Research Ethics Committee (Universiti Teknologi MARA, Aras 3, Bangunan Wawasan, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia; +60 (0)355448069; recsecretariat@uitm.edu.my), ref: REC/232/17
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedDigital dental panoramic tomogram and lateral cephalogram radiation exposure
InterventionParticipants were randomized 1:1 into control and intervention groups. The control group received standard scanning parameters as prescribed by the manufacturer by setting the radiographic machine in auto mode. Participants in the intervention group received reduced scanning parameters where the dental panoramic tomogram (DPT) was reduced by 60% and lateral cephalogram (LC) by 30%. All the participants were exposed to radiation once for each modality. Buccal mucosa smears were taken before radiation exposure and 10 days after the radiation exposure.
Intervention typeDevice
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)
Primary outcome measure1. Diagnostic performance of the images assessed using detection of anatomical landmarks (25 landmarks on dental panoramic tomogram and 35 landmarks on lateral cephalogram) after the x-rays were taken
2. The presence of nuclear alterations (pyknosis, karyolysis, karyorrhexis and nuclear budding) of buccal mucosa smear was noted (yes/no), taken before the exposure to x-rays and 10 days after the x-rays
Secondary outcome measuresQuality of the images assessed using a five-point rating scale after the x-rays taken (1= excellent, 2= more than adequately presented, 3= adequately presented 4= barely adequately presented, 5= inadequately presented)
Overall study start date01/03/2017
Completion date31/08/2019

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit35 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants38
Total final enrolment38
Key inclusion criteria1. Adults 18-35 years old
2. Indicated for dental panoramic tomogram and lateral cephalogram
3. Fit and healthy
4. Normal body mass index (BMI) 18.5 - 25
Key exclusion criteria1. Patients contraindicated for radiographic examination
2. Pregnant
3. Occupational health exposure
4. Facial and skeletal abnormalities
5. Bone disease
6. Smoking or has stopped less than 6 months
7. Oral diseases including ulcers in the past 2 weeks
Date of first enrolment01/02/2018
Date of final enrolment30/06/2019

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Malaysia

Study participating centre

Universiti Teknologi MARA
Orthodontic Clinic
Faculty of Dentistry
Kampus Sungai Buloh
Jalan Hospital
Sungai Buloh
47000
Malaysia

Sponsor information

Universiti Teknologi MARA
University/education

Faculty of Dentistry
UiTM Sungai Buloh
Jalan Hospital
Sungai Buloh
47000
Malaysia

Phone +60 (0)361266555
Email liyaghazali@yahoo.com
Website http://www.uitm.edu.my/index.php/en
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/05n8tts92

Funders

Funder type

University/education

Universiti Teknologi MARA

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/11/2020
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryStored in repository
Publication and dissemination planThe plan for this study is to divide the trial into two parts (two publications) where the first part will report the results regarding diagnostic performance and quality of the images. The second part will report the score of nuclei alterations of the buccal mucosa.
IPD sharing planFor this study, the participants’ level data are the x-ray images (DPT and LC) and slides containing buccal mucosa smears. All images are stored online on UiTM’s Integrated Dental Records Management System (iDERMS) (https://dentistry.uitm.edu.my/v2/index.php/en/) and can only be assessed by clinician in-charged using UiTM’s intranet system. X-rays and any patients’ records are medico-legal documents thus the access is restricted. Prior to the commencement of the study, informed consent was obtained from patients.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article 01/03/2021 24/06/2021 Yes No

Editorial Notes

24/06/2021: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
23/09/2020: The intention to publish date was changed from 14/05/2020 to 01/11/2020.
04/05/2020: Trial's existence confirmed by Uitm Research Ethics Committee.