Objectives: This study compares the effective dose for different fields of view (FOVs), resolutions and X-ray parameters from two cone beam CT units: the KaVo 3D (threedimensional) eXam and the KaVo Pan eXam Plus 3D (KaVo Dental, Biberach, Germany). Methods: Measurements were made using thermoluminescent dosemeter chips in a radiation analog dosimetry head and neck phantom. The calculations of effective doses are based on the ICRP 60 and ICRP 103 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Results: Effective doses from the 3D eXam ranged between 32.8 mSv and 169.8 mSv, and for the Pan eXam Plus effective doses ranged between 40.2 mSv and 183.7 mSv; these were measured using ICRP 103 weighting factors in each case. The increase in effective dose between ICRP 60 and ICRP 103 recommendations averaged 157% for all measurements. Conclusions: Effective doses can be reduced significantly with the choice of lower resolutions and mAs settings as well as smaller FOVs to avoid tissues sensitive to radiation being inside the direct beam. Larger FOVs do not necessarily lead to higher effective doses.