X-Rays
How. Often should I get X-rays at the dental office?
When it comes to healthcare, individualization is the best medicine. If you are at low or no risk for issues, then the frequency can be longer. For instance, the ADA recommends radiographs for healthy adults every 2-3 years.
If you are at moderate to high risk then you would want radiographs every 6 months or even at intermediate intervals to monitor areas of concern.
Digital radiography has dramatically reduced the amount of radiation patients are exposed to in the dental office. In scientific papers, radiation exposure is most often compared with that in a medical setting or survivors of the Hiroshima atomic bombings. With that said, dental x-rays are nearly insignificant. When lead aprons are used for your protection as well as a thyroid collar, dental x-ryas are very safe.
Did you know?
You acquire more radiation from eating some foods than you will from dental x-rays.
Radiation exists naturally in the environment. It permeates the soil and water that flows over it. The water you drink exposes you to more radiation than the advanced dental x-rays used in today’s dental offices.
Using your cell phone! Using your iPad! Using your computer! Wireless signals! All give you more radiation than dental x-rays.
To contrast medical CT versus dental x-rays, a medical CT exposes a patient to 4 units of radiation. A dental x-ray, such as a cavity-detecting x-ray, exposes a patient to .002 units.
Flying on an airplane exposes you to more radiation from the sun and cosmic forces than getting dental x-rays.
Panoramic radiographs and dental cone beam CT scans give vastly more diagnostic information than single x-ray films and use less radiation than a traditional full set of individual films that are historically taken at a dental appointment.
For a healthy individual, a panoramic radiograph or dental CT would be taken every 3-5 years with cavity-detecting x-rays every 1-2 years depending on risk assessment.
For individuals that suffer from cavities on a more frequent basis or have a high risk of developing decay, then a panoramic or dental CT scan would be every 1-3 years and cavity-detecting radiographs every 6-12 months.
Dental x-rays are safer than ever and use the least amount of radiation than ever. The upside — they can prevent you from having decay and disease growing unchecked which can result in infections, bone loss, tooth loss and pain, and increased expense.
This is where that old saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Getting dental x-rays specific to your health can help you preserve your teeth for a lifetime with the least amount of dentistry. And who wouldn’t want that?
To discuss this article further or to find out your decay risk and how often you should get x-rays, schedule a constellation with Dr. Edwards today at 636-583-2612 or email us at office@optimadg.info