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Today, more than ever, patients are
concerned about the safety of X-rays in general, as well
as the need for them in the dental office. |
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To answer your questions about x-rays,
the information below is provided by the American
Academy of Dental Radiology, and the National Council on
Radiation Protection. |
Are All X-rays The Same?
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Actually there are several types of
X-rays that may be ordered by the dentist. The most
common are what are referred to as "intraoral," a small
film packet is placed inside your mouth. You may be
asked to bite on a small cardboard tab that holds a
cavity-detecting X-ray film packet in place; or you may
be asked to bite down on a small plastic device that
helps align the film with the X-ray machine. |
| Other types of X-rays (called "extraoral")
are taken by placing a larger film cassette near your
face. You may be either seated or standing while the
film is being taken. |
Do I Really Need X-rays?
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X-rays enable your dentist to see areas
of your teeth and jaws that cannot be examined in any
other way. Early detection of a malignant disease
could
save your life. |
| A periapical x-ray shows the
entire tooth and root, and the surrounding bone and
tissue. A full-mouth set of x-rays, which usually
consists of 14 to 21 periapical films, allows your
dentist to carefully examine all of the teeth and
surrounding bone and tissue. |
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These types of x-rays are most commonly
used in the dental office. |
| Cavity detecting (bitewing)
x-rays are particularly important in detecting decay
between the teeth. |
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A panoramic x-ray is a single film
showing the entire mouth. It is an excellent screening
device for determining general conditions; however,
periapical films may still be needed for a closer
examination of specific areas. |
What About Radiation Safety?
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Before any x-rays are taken, a leaded
apron and thyroid collar will be placed over you. These
prevent radiation from reaching your
reproductive system or thyroid. |
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Your dentist uses high-speed x-ray film
to minimize the amount of radiation used. All dental
x-ray equipment manufactured since 1974 is required
to have built-in safety features and must meet rigorous
radiation safety standards. |
How Much Radiation Will I Receive?
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The radiation exposure during a
dental x-ray examination is so small that the chance it
will contribute to cancer is extremely low. |
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Because of the brief time exposure and
the small diameter of the x-ray beam, the skin of the
face receives approximately 0.15 roentgens to 0.5
roentgens per film. (A roentgen is a unit of measurement
for radiation.) |
| In order to produce skin cancer,
exposures in the ranges of thousands of roentgens are
needed. This means that with dental x-rays, there
is practically no possibility of damage to the skin. |
| Why Do Dental Personnel
Leave the Room When Taking My X-rays? |
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Because dental
personnel take
many films over
the course of a
year, they must
take precautions
against what is
called "cumulative
X-radiation."
The safest way
to ensure this
is for them to
stand at least
six feet from
the X-ray
unit for a
brief fraction
of a second when
radiation is
present. |
How Often Do
I Need X-Rays?
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Your dentist
will recommend
x-rays only when
you need them.
The following
are general
guidelines: |
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Emergency
Patients. If
you have pain or
swelling, x-rays
can help your
dentist
determine the
cause - and
relieve your
discomfort as
quickly as
possible. |
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New Patients.
Dental x-rays
are part of a
complete
examination
for each new
patient. The
number needed
will depend upon
the special
conditions in
your mouth. In
addition to
being an
immediate
diagnostic aid,
these x-rays
also form the
baseline for
evaluating
future changes. |
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Returning
Patients.
X-rays will be
recommended
only when
needed. |
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Children.
In addition to
checking for
decay,
x-rays enable
the dentist to
check the
progress of
developing teeth.
The interval
between x-ray
studies is
determined by
the needs of the
child; however,
children may
need x-rays more
often than
adults. |
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What Are You
Looking For When
You Read My
Dental X-rays? |
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One of the
obvious things
we look for, of
course, is
decay. (Often,
dental decay
is not apparent
upon visual
examination.
That's because
the decay
process often
starts between
the teeth.) |
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In addition to
decay, there are
many other
things the
dentist looks
for on your
X-rays: |
-
Receding
bone level
(a sign of
periodontal
disease)
-
Supernumerary
(extra)
teeth
-
Missing,
impacted or
un-erupted
teeth
-
Bone cancer
or bony
cysts
-
Early signs
of
osteoporosis
-
Root
fragments
-
Root
configuration
-
Sinus
infection
-
Abscesses of
the teeth or
gums
-
Tooth
position
-
Foreign
objects that
may be
imbedded in
the oral
tissue
-
Hairline
fractures of
the teeth or
supporting
tissues
-
Tartar
(hardened
plaque)
below the
gum line
-
Filling
overhangs or
short or
open filling
margins
-
TMJ
(jaw joint)
irregularities
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What If I
Might Be
Pregnant? Will
X-rays Harm My
Unborn Baby? |
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It's true that
embryonic
tissues are very
sensitive to
X-radiation. If
you are in
the first
trimester of
pregnancy
(the first three
months) or
think you may be
pregnant, please
tell us. We
generally avoid
taking films
during this
time, unless you
have a specific
dental
emergency. |
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Once you are
past the first
trimester, if
there is reason
for taking
X-rays, we will
take every
precaution to
protect you and
your unborn baby
from any
harmful
radiation. |
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Sometimes I
Fell Like I'm
Going To Gag On
An X-ray Film.
Do Other
Patients
Experience This,
Too? |
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Yes,
occasionally
patients do
experience what
we call a
"gag reflex"
when a film
packet is placed
in the mouth -
particularly
toward the back
of the mouth. If
you feel that
you are
especially prone
to gagging, we
can give you a
special mouth
rinse that
temporarily
numbs the soft
tissue (what is
called the
palate). |
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Your Dental
Health Is Our
First Concern |
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Because we
care about
maintaining your
smile,
dental X-rays
are an
indispensable
adjunct to your
clinical
records. By
taking them
periodically we
safeguard
your dental
health, to
detect any
changes or
conditions early
- before they
become big
problems. |
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If you have any
additional
questions or
concerns about
dental
X-rays, just ask
us. We are
here to preserve
your smile. |
