A Nanocomposite Shield Constructed for Protection Against the Harmful Effects of Dental X-Rays

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare a number of new nano-composites capable of protecting the jaw from ionizing radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different types of nano-powders [Ti, Zr (IV) oxide, Ag and Co] were mixed in a polymer matrix to create nano-composites with doping values of 8% in weight. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis was performed using a HECUSSAXS system with 50 kV- 50 mA. Co nano-composites (Co-pnm) yielded the most promising values of the four nanocomposites tested in terms of X-ray absorption. Thus, 4×2 cm Co-pnm samples of different thicknesses (0.20, 0.50, 0.57 and 0.60 cm) were prepared, and SAXS analysis was performed in order to assess the effects of material thickness on xray absorption. An experimental multi part shield was constructed from Co-pnm around tooth #36 to test the effect of nanomaterial on the image quality under X-ray beam. RESULTS: Logarithmic distributions of the transmitted intensity values (I) showed that 0.20 cm Co-pnm had the highest transmission value (16.05) followed by 0.50 cm Co-pnm (15.44), 0.57 cm Co-pnm (15.07) and 0.60 cm Co-pnm (15.06). The 0.2 cm Co-pnm had an effective radius of the nano-aggregation value (77.44 Å) lower than that of the other thicknesses (0.50, 0.57 and 0.60 cm) of Co-pnm, which had similar values ranging from 66.22 to 66.34 Å. The 0.50 cm Co-pnm had the lowest D(max) value of the different thicknesses of Co-pnm tested. CONCLUSION: Co nanocomposite can be used as a protection shield for the harmful effects of dental X-ray.