Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the radiodensities of teeth pre and post Cobalt 60 radiotherapy and to correlate it with different fractionation of radiations.
Material and Method: 20 freshly extracted human molars free from apparent caries, macroscopic cracks, abrasions, staining as assessed by visual examination were selected and mounted on an acrylic block. Radiographs using paralleling techniques were done with set standard parameters. Further teeth were irradiated in a Cobalt unit with 1.25 MV photons at dose rate of 1Gy/min, and at a source-surface distance of 80 cm. A dose of 2Gy/fraction (1fraction per day, 5 times/week) was used up to cumulative dose of 66Gy (33fractions in 6 weeks course). After each fraction, radiographs were done. All images were evaluated for changes in density by digital substraction radiography and pixel density assessment of enamel and dentin and were compared with fractionation of radiation.
Results: Average mean pixel density of teeth showed fluctuations following irradiation fractions. With subsequent radiation fractions a positive correlation between mean density and fraction of radiation at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 grey of radiation exposure was obtained using Pearson’s correlation test.
Conclusion: This study shows that irradiation affects radiodensities of hard tissues of teeth, which might contribute to increased risk of radiation tooth decay associated with salivary changes, microbiota shift and high soft and carbohydrate rich diet.
