Health & Fitness
X-Rays: Do the Risks Outweigh the Benefits?
Concerned about x-rays because of the radiation? To gain some perspective, find out how x-rays help to maintain good oral health and the small amount of radiation exposure involved.
You arrive at your dentist's office for your six-month cleaning. And then your dental professional suggests an x-ray.
It seems some of the recent news coverage of dental x-rays is making some people uncomfortable with the radiation in x-rays. Hopefully, this will give you some perspective.
X-rays are a useful diagnostic tool in helping patients maintain good oral health. They help your dentist more accurately diagnose cavities, monitor bone loss caused by periodontal disease, detect infections, and see how the jaw is developing in children.
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A traditional x-ray (your dentist calls this a "bitewing" x-ray) involves the four corners of the mouth and emits about .005 millisieverts of radiation, according to the American College of Radiology. This is the same amount of radiation you may receive in the course of a day from the sun and is considered "negligible." During the x-ray, you are protected from unnecessary radiation exposure to other parts of the body by wearing a lead shield or apron, sometimes with a collar. Dentistry has made great advances to lower the radiation dose administered. Today, it is just tenths of seconds.
The digital x-rays that many dentists use today require even less radiation than traditional ones, making them a good choice for patients who are undergoing complicated restoration work or who want the lowest radiation possible. The average digital dental x-ray is equivalent to sitting and watching television for a few minutes.
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As a patient, you do have a choice. You do not have to get an x-ray if you don't feel comfortable. However, if you are facing significant dental work, they can be very useful.
The next time you visit your dentist, start a conversation about why and how often you need an x-ray. If you are concerned about safety, it is important that you to talk to your dentist about his or her philosophy on the use and frequency of x-rays.
The goal is to feel more comfortable, whichever route you decide to take.
The content of this article is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for the advice of your dentist. If you have a question about this article or another medical condition, please consult your dentist or other qualified healthcare professional.
