An insight into the effect of ultraviolet radiation: from promotion of skin malignancies to use in dentistry

Abstract

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) can occur either naturally - through exposure to solar radiation, or synthetically - through exposure to various devices that emit ultraviolet radiation. As far as the oral cavity is concerned, the oral cells meet solar ultraviolet radiation once the mouth is opened or with ultraviolet radiation applied with the help of devices used for diagnostic or treatment purposes in dental procedures. Ultraviolet radiation is on the list of recognized carcinogens (WHO, 2009) and specialist studies have highlighted the fact that oral cells are much more sensitive to these radiations than skin cells. Considering these premises, the current study proposes to highlight the effects produced by ultraviolet radiation, through the prism of its use for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the field of dental medicine, but without neglecting the negative effects produced on the skin, the first defense barrier of the human body against harmful factors in the environment. At the same time, the connection between the damage of oral tissues due to exposure to environmental ultraviolet radiation and the state of knowledge in the field regarding the effectiveness of the use of UV in the newest techniques in dentistry is analyzed.