The use of higher energies in radiography comes with the potential risk of increased biological effects. Higher energy radiation has a greater ability to penetrate tissues and organs, which can lead to a more significant interaction with biological molecules, including DNA. This interaction raises the potential for cellular damage, mutations, or other adverse biological effects, which can increase the risk of radiation-induced health issues, such as cancer or other tissue damage.
In dental radiography, while higher energy can improve the quality of images, particularly in terms of penetration, the trade-off is that it can also heighten the risks associated with exposure to radiation. It’s important for practitioners to balance the need for image quality with the potential health risks to patients by using the lowest effective dose necessary for diagnostic purposes.