Are dental X-rays at my local dentist safe?
Are dental X-rays at my local dentist safe?
Modern dental X-rays are generally safe for the majority of patients. Compared to older dental technology and other types of X-rays, radiation exposure is relatively low. Our modern equipment further reduces the amount of radiation exposure to patients with higher sensitivity digital sensors, which don't require as much exposure.
It's also important to consider the benefits of dental X-rays, as they are a vital tool used by your local dentist to diagnose and monitor your dental health. Without them, the dentist can only see above your gumline at the visible teeth and would be unable to get a complete picture. This can lead to the inability to prevent dental problems like infections, gum disease, and cavities. Because of this, the benefits of dental X-rays almost always outweigh the extremely low risk of potential harm.
How does my dentist minimize radiation for the patient?
We always strive to minimize exposure to the patient, our staff, and anyone else in our office by following the “ALARA” principle, which means “As Low As Reasonably Achievable." From equipment selection of digital sensors and lower power x-rays to the radiation "lead" shields worn by the patient, and even to the intelligent architecture of our office – we are minimizing the amount of exposure to patients to the absolutely necessary to achieve a proper diagnosis.
How much radiation do I get from a dental X-ray?
Radiation is commonly measured in millisieverts (mSv) to represent the amount of radiation absorbed by your body. Dental X-rays are relatively low, and modern equipment minimizes the amount of mSv you are exposed to.
For reference, your annual average exposure to background radiation (just living on the Earth) is 3.6 mSv each year. A long flight also exposes you to radiation – about 0.03 to 0.05 mSv.
A panoramic X-ray typically exposes a patient to about 0.007 mSv of radiation. While a pair of bitewing X-rays would expose a patient to about 0.004 mSv. This translates to a new patient exam with a complete set of X-rays, typically having less radiation exposure than a single cross-country flight. Subsequently, a 6-month check-up with two bitewing X-rays would equal less than a day's worth of background radiation.
How often should I get dental X-rays?
In short, at any modern dental office with digital equipment, we recommend dental X-rays whenever the dentist has a clinical recommendation for them. Typically this would be during new patient exams, periodic check-ups, and for diagnosis of any acute dental problem.
There are essentially three types of dental X-rays:
Panoramic X-rays: provide a broad "wide angle" view of all your teeth, jawbones, sinuses, and the surrounding skull. These X-rays show your local dentist all your teeth in relation to each other and your jaw. They are also used to assess proximity to sinuses, wisdom teeth, and TMJ "jaw joint" issues. Panoramic X-rays also provide an easy view of a child's adult teeth before they are visible.
Full mouth/bitewing / periapical x-rays: provide a detailed "zoomed in" view of your teeth. These are taken one at a time for each area of the mouth to get a high-quality image the dentist can use to see details for diagnosing any dental issues.
Cone Beam (CBCT) x-ray: representing the latest in modern dental x-ray technology, a CBCT x-ray is a 3D image that can be used by your local dentist to see the "depth" of a traditional 2D x-ray. This provides the ability to diagnose cracks in the tooth, plan for implant placement, and perform complex oral surgery. These are typically only performed by a specialist as required for major dental procedures.
Regarding frequency, panoramic X-rays are typically taken every 3-5 years or when a major dental procedure requires it. You will most commonly receive a panoramic X-ray during a new patient exam. However, if you are starting or finishing procedures such as braces, Invisalign, dental implants, or multiple extractions – it may be essential to have a panoramic X-ray taken by your dentist to get a complete picture of your current dental health.
Full mouth X-rays are typically taken during new patient exams. However, for bitewing x-rays, our dentist recommends small ones in the back of the mouth during your regular 6-month check-ups. Since it's more prevalent for cavities to form in the back of the mouth, this guidance is a preventative measure to identify issues before they occur. Finally, these are the most common X-rays to be taken during a restorative or major dental procedure. Typical examples would be after a deep cleaning to confirm the area underneath the gums has been completely cleaned or to confirm a root canal was completed successfully.
Why does my dentist need X-rays for my insurance?
If you have dental insurance, it's very common for any major restorative procedure to require the submission of dental X-rays. Your dental insurance has a clinical review team for these types of procedures, which are looking out for their members – specifically using the x-rays to confirm that your local dentist's diagnoses are adequate for your conditions and that the services you received were done completely and professionally. For some procedures, a pre-operative X-ray can be required to confirm the patient does indeed require the procedure. For others, x-rays before and after the procedure are required to verify all services were completed and performed to the level of professionalism expected.
Can I take dental X-rays if I am pregnant?
It is always advisable to minimize X-ray exposure during pregnancy. However, dental X-rays are typically an infrequent procedure performed to prevent potential dental issues. They are often managed with lead aprons and collars to protect you and your baby.
You can always elect to decline or postpone your X-rays. While we may not be able to perform the same level of preventative and diagnostic measures without X-rays, we will effort to do as much as possible to treat you and maintain your comfort level.
We highly recommend pregnant patients ask their OBGYN for specific guidance on dental X-rays. It has been generally accepted by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology that dental X-rays do not produce enough radiation to cause harm. Furthermore, the proper use of lead shields only exposes the patient's mouth while protecting the rest of the body and the baby. However, only you and your OBGYN can decide on the right guidance for your specific situation.