What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an X-ray? Probably radiation. No doubt radiation is a component, but dental X-rays contain such a miniscule amount that the benefits of getting them usually far outweigh the risks.
Why do I need an X-ray anyway?
Dental X-rays are a diagnostic tool used to treat a variety of oral issues, ranging from minor to severe. They provide the dentist with a picture of hard tissues (teeth and bones) and soft tissues (gums), alerting to any changes that may signify problems.
The ADA recommends that an adult with good oral health and low risk of dental problems should have X-rays taken at intervals of every 12 to 24 months.Keep in mind that the frequency for getting dental X-rays varies among patients based off factors like their age, oral health history, previous dental work, and current dental problems. Dentists are highly trained to use their discretion to determine whether an X-ray is absolutely necessary in providing the best treatment for a patient.
Just like with the rest of the human body, there are many reasons for dental X-rays including:
- Accessing injuries in the mouth
- Detecting developmental abnormalities
- Determining severity of gum disease (bone loss)
- Diagnosing infections in the bone
- Finding abscesses, cysts, and tumors
- Identifying decay invisible to the naked eye (hidden beneath a filling or between teeth)
- Planning orthodontic treatments (braces
- Preparing for dental treatments (dental implants, tooth extraction, etc.)
Regarding the total radiation exposure from everyday living, the amount of radiation in dental X-rays poses minimal risk. Throughout our lifetime, we are exposed to varying levels of radiation from natural-occurring “background noise”. For goodness sakes, you can be exposed to radiation from eating a banana (Gee, thanks, potassium!). Bananas provide many health benefits, and the level of radiation is very insignificant, so carry on eating your bananas. Also, keep in mind that dental X-rays emit way less radiation than X-rays conducted on other parts of the human body. By viewing the radiation comparison chart below, you should conclude that dental X-rays are indeed safe and recommended as part of a good oral health care regime.
chart source: https://www.todaysrdh.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Dental-X-Ray-Radiation-Comparison-Chart.pdf
At Berger Dental we take every precaution necessary to ensure that our patients are exposed to as little radiation as possible. That’s why we have digital X-rays and a digital panoramic machine, which means a lot less radiation and clearer images. A huge plus of digital images is being able to view them in real time. That alone expedites the treatment process. Patients receiving X-rays can wear a leaded apron as an extra layer of protection.
If you have any questions or concerns about dental X-rays, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.