Comparative Evaluation of Radiation Emission between Wall Mounted and Handheld Xray Devices Using Dosimetry

Abstract

Background: Dental radiography is essential for diagnostic and endodontic procedures, yet repeated exposure poses occupational risks for dental practitioners. The increasing use of handheld X-ray devices has raised concerns regarding operator safety due to proximity to the radiation source. Comparative clinical data evaluating radiation emission from handheld versus wall-mounted devices remain limited.

Aim: To comparatively evaluate the radiation emission of a wall-mounted intraoral X-ray machine and two handheld dental X-ray devices using Thermoluminescent Dosimetry (TLD) under routine clinical conditions.

Materials and Methods: This clinical observational study was conducted in the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guru Nanak Dev Dental College and Research Institute, Sunam, and registered under CTRI/2024/05/074342. A total of 900 intraoral periapical radiographs were obtained using three devices: Alerio Optima wall-mounted unit, Orikam Eighteeth Hyperlight handheld machine, and Runyes Unicorn handheld X-ray machine (300 radiographs each). Exposure time was standardized at 0.20 seconds. Operator radiation exposure was measured using chest-mounted CaSO₄:Dy TLD badges, with separate dosimeters for each device. Estimated annual minimum and maximum radiation exposure values were calculated based on daily usage. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, and normality was assessed using Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk tests.

Results: All devices recorded a mean operator exposure of 0.00 µSv on TLD badges. However, estimated annual exposure varied across machines. The Orikam handheld device exhibited the widest exposure range (8.82–70.59 µSv), followed by the Alerio wall-mounted unit (13.33–66.67 µSv). The Unicorn handheld device demonstrated the lowest maximum expected annual exposure (27.27 µSv). Normality testing revealed significant deviation from normal distribution (K–S p=0.005; S–W p=0.001). Daily usage was highest for the Unicorn device (15 exposures/day), followed by Orikam (14/day) and Alerio (12/day).

Conclusion: Although operator-level TLD readings remained negligible for all devices, handheld X-ray machines demonstrated greater variability in estimated annual radiation emission compared to the wall-mounted unit. Model-specific differences were evident, with the Unicorn handheld device showing comparatively lower radiation output. Strict adherence to radiation safety protocols ensures that occupational exposure remains within safe limits, even with handheld radiography systems.