Comparison of absorbed doses and organ doses measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters and Gafchromic film for cone beam computed tomography examination of the posterior mandibular region in a head phantom

Objectives We aimed to map the correlation between thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and Gafchromic film for measuring absorbed doses and to compare minimum, maximum, and mean absorbed doses over larger regions of interest and at various craniofacial organs and tissues during cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) exposure of the mandibular third molar region. Study Design We positioned TLDs at 75 measurement points in a head phantom. Gafchromic film was cut to the same shape as the 5 levels of the phantom and was placed on top of the TLDs. Both dosimetry methods thus included the surface of each level simultaneously. CBCT scans were made using a 5 × 5 cm field of view and a rotation angle of 200°. Measurements included absorbed dose distributions, doses at all 75 points, and minimum, maximum, and mean doses within organs and tissues. Results The correlation of point-dose measurements at all TLD sites with doses measured on film was strong (R2 = 0.9687), with greatest correlation at lower doses (