Many patients are unsure about the actual risks and benefits of dental x-rays. As a practicing dentist for the past 25 years, I have encountered many patients with these concerns. I take them seriously and support their desire to have the least amount of radiation exposure as possible BUT there are benefits to having routine x-rays for most people that out weigh the risks.
Through the careful use of x-rays we are able to detect and measure dental decay, bone irregularities, root pathologies, periodontal disease, the eruption of teeth, and countless other issues. Early detection of hidden problems allow dental professionals to intervene and correct problems before they become more serious, and this in turn has helped people keep their teeth healthy and strong for a lifetime. Routine dental X-Rays should be taken based on age, risk of disease, and presence or symptoms of disease. Usually dental professionals recommend check up X-Rays every 1-2 years and full mouth X-Rays every 3-5 years.
As dental professionals, we often hear concerns involving the amount of radiation dental X-Rays give off. To put it simply, the amount of radiation received by dental X-rays is far less than for an example chest X-Rays. An example of radiation equivalency and dental X-rays would be gardening outside for a couple of hours, or taking a transcontinental airline flight. Dental professionals use lead aprons, thyroid collars, and types of films or sensors that greatly reduce the amount of radiation that a patient is exposed to. For more information concerning the risks vs benefits and radiation please click here.
