The radioactivity levels and beta dose rate assessment from dental ceramic materials in Egypt

Abstract

There is a lack of available data on the radioactivity levels of these materials, despite the potential risks they may pose to patients, dental technicians, and dentists. A total of forty samples were collected from different dental markets in Egypt. Using an NaI(Tl) detector, the gamma-ray spectrometer measured the activity levels of uranium-238, radium-226, thorium-232, and potassium-40. The findings revealed that the mean concentration of 238U (below the minimum detectable activity, MDA), 226Ra (135 ± 5 and 132 ± 5 Bq/kg), 232Th (187 ± 4 and 243 ± 8 Bq/kg), and 40K (1560 ± 52 and 2501 ± 89 Bq/kg) in feldspar and zirconia (ZrO2) dental ceramic samples, respectively, were all within the limits established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the European Commission (EC). The use of feldspar and zirconia dental ceramics to restore all teeth would result in an estimated maximum beta dose of 1.5 mGy/year to the oral tissue. The results suggest that there is no cause for concern regarding any additional beta dose to the oral cavity from the use of feldspar and zirconia dental ceramics.