Hot Topic- x-rays
How often should radiographs be taken?
How often X-rays (radiographs) should be taken depends on the patient's individual health needs. It is important to recognize that just as each patient is different from the next, so should the scheduling of X-ray exams be individualized for each patient.
What are the benefits of a dental radiograph examination?
Many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when your dentist examines your mouth. An X-ray examination may reveal:
- Small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing restorations (fillings)
- Infections in the bone
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Abscesses or cysts
- Developmental abnormalities
- Some types of tumors
Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save time, money and unnecessary discomfort. It can detect damage to oral structures not visible during a regular exam. If you have a hidden tumor, radiographs may even help saving your life.
How do dental X-rays compare to other sources of radiation?
We are exposed to radiation every day from various sources, such as frequent airplane travel and high altitudes, minerals in the soil, and appliances in our homes (like smoke detectors and television screens).
| Source | |
|---|---|
| Dental radiograph Bitewings (4 films) Full-mouth series (about 19 films) |
0.038 0.150 |
| Medical radiographs Lower GI series Upper GI series Chest |
4.060 2.440 0.080 |
| Average radiation from outer space in Denver, CO (per year) | 0.510 |
| Average radiation in the U.S. from Natural sources (per year) | 3.000 |
Source: Adapted from Frederiksen NL. X-Rays: What is the Risk? Texas Dental Journal. 1995; 112(2):68-72
*A millisievert (mSV) is a unit of measure that allows for some comparison between radiation sources that expose the entire body (such as natural background radiation) and those that only expose a portion of the body (such as radiographs).
The above information is from the ADA Oral Health Topics.