Dental X-rays: Facts and Myths
Dental X-rays are part and parcel of a dental visit. They help you understand your oral hygiene and identify conditions which are not visible to the naked eye. However, we all know that x-rays pose a certain risk of exposure to the body. Here we bring you a few facts extracted from the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs, "The Use of Dental Radiographs - Update and Recommendations" - to help you understand the risks and benefits of dental X-rays.
The recommendation that may be most interest to dentists and clients addresses the frequency of dental x-ray examinations. Historically, dentists prescribe regular x-ray examinations for patients on a schedule. Full sets of radiographs (up to over 20 individual films or a large panoramic film and 2-4 "bite wing" films) for all new adult, adolescent, and many younger patients. Then, every 3-5 after, smaller sets of "bite wing" films update the client's record annually. New full sets are repeated periodically depending on the client's dental condition.
The recommendations advise dentists to carefully evaluate the
benefit of x-ray exposure for each client. For example, a healthy client who is twenty years old, and who has never had tooth decay, may not benefit from a routine, annual x-ray examination. Conversely, a teenager who has a history of severe decay, and who drinks carbonated beverages daily, may benefit from twice yearly bitewing radiographs to find new decay earlier. Clients who have xerostomia or dry mouth require more frequent x-ray examination.
These recommendations, now echoed by the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA), include instructions that "dentists should prescribe radiographs fater an evaluation of the patients needs that includes a health history review, a clinical dental history assessment, a clinical examination and an evaluation of susceptibility to dental diseases.
Facts about use of X-ray and Safety:
Q: How often should a child have a dental x-ray films?
A: Since every child is unique, the need for dental X-ray films varies from child to child. Films are taken only afetr a complete review of your child's health, and only when they are likely to yield information that a visual exam cannot.
In general, children need X-rays more often that adults. Their mouths grow and change rapidly. They are more susceptible to tooth decay than adults and recommended every six months to take x-rays. Children with low risk of tooth decay require less frequently.
Q: Why should x-ray films be taken if my child has never had a cavity?
A: X-ray films detect much more than cavities. For example, x-rays may be needed to survey erupting teeth, diagnose bone disease, evaluate the results of an injury, or plan Orthodontic treatment. X-rays allow dentists to diagnose and treat health conditiond that cannot be detected during a clinical examination. If the dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable and affordable.
Q: Will x-ray films be taken routinely?
A: No. X-ray films are recommended only when necessary to protect your child's dental health. The frequency of X-ray films is determined by your child's individual needs.
Q: How safe are dental X-rays?
A: Pediatric dentists are particularly careful to minimize the exposure of child patients to radiation. With contemporary safeguards, the amount of radiation received in a dental X-ray examination is extremely small. The risk is negligible. In fact, dental x-rays represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem.
Q: How will my child be protected from X-ray exposure?
A: Lead body aprons and shield will protect your child. Today's equipment filters out unnecessary x-rays and restricts the x-ray beam to the area of interest. High-speed film and proper shielding assure that your child receives a minimal amount of radiation exposure.
Q: What are the effective doses from various dental x-ray procedures? Can you compare them to some other radiation doses?
A: The table below gives some compares effective doses from various dental x-ray procedures:
Effective Doses from Various Dental X-Ray Procedures
Procedures Effective Dose (in microsieverts)
Panoramic 6-11
Cephalometric 6-11
TMJ tomogram 2
Full-Mouth intraoral 10-15
Bitewings (4x rays) 2-3
Mandible CT 150-700
PA and Chest x-ray (for comparison) 170
Background radiation (for comparison) 3,600/y
Source: Health Physics Society, Specialist in Radiation Safety
Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA)
