Article

Potential contribution of selected metallic restorative dentistry materials to X-ray fluorescence

¹ Ibmec-RJ/Barra, Engineering Faculty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
² Nuclear Engineering Graduate Program, Military Institute of Engineering, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
³ Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Chemical Engineering Faculty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
⁴ Science Materials Graduate Program, Military Institute of Engineering, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
⁵ Cranfield Forensic Institute, Cranfield University, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham, SN6 8LA, UK

^* Corresponding author: fisica.dna@gmail.com

Received: 4 December 2017
Accepted: 12 May 2019

Abstract

Recent advances have led to the use of new materials in dental restoration which is an area of rapid growth. Applications include improving oral aesthetics and essential rehabilitation, whilst procedures range from the recovery of partial elements (inlays) to fitting dental implants. Ceramics, polymers and metallic materials have all been successfully employed in dental applications and benefit from new cost efficient manufacturing techniques. The application of radiographic techniques in dentistry and other medicine is also increasing, and the combination of new materials and radiation can lead to an elevated health risk. X-rays can interact with metallic materials producing X-ray fluorescence, which can increase the radiation dose in proximity to restorative material and increase the risk of live biological tissue becoming cancerous. The issue demands consideration so that the biological risks associated with such procedures are kept as low as possible. Comparisons of doses calculated for several materials have provided evidence that the Ti cp and NiCrTi alloys present less contribution to the increase of dose in surrounding soft tissue and the potential deleterious biological effects. On the other hand, Amalgam appears to be the most deleterious alloy.