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History:
X-rays were discovered over 100 years ago.
Their exposure time back than was 25 minutes and the quality of the
picture was poor. Today one picture takes only fractions of a second to produce
a high quality diagnostic picture
The exposure from dental radiographs is
extremely small especially with new developments in film and equipment.
FDA commissioner states that dental X-rays are considered safe and
contain relatively low radiation.
Examples: To help you understand the risk of exposure a
comparison of radiation doses from radiography and background radiation
(atmospheric, cosmic, etc. radiation) can be made with the mean active bone
marrow dose.
Researchers compared
whole-body bone marrow dose from background radiation to the data from
radiographic examinations. They concluded that ‘if
a person in an average location in the U.S. were to receive a full-mouth
periapical and panoramic examination every 4 months for the rest of their life
he would incur only the same risk as a person living in Denver who was not
exposed to dental radiography’. “Denver
is exposed to more atmospheric radiation due to the high elevation of this
city". So remember you are exposed to
radiation naturally, including cosmic radiation from space;
terrestrial radiation from stone and other building materials; and
radiation from manmade objects such as color televisions
To carry this comparison further. If
a person in the average location in the US were to receive the same dental
radiography treatment mentioned above every day for a lifetime, this individual
would have the same risk as someone living in certain high elevation areas of
Brazil or India (Source: Kim Loss, DDS and “Oral Radiology Principles and
Interpretation, 2n Edition Mosby 1987)
Digital X-Rays-the
safer way to receive a dental x-ray
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Dexis Digital
x-rays...benefits to you:
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Overall a single dental X-ray like an occlusal
or periapical is equal to the exposure of just one chest X-ray. An important
aspect to consider here is the differences in the area exposed. A single X-ray
of the chest actually results in almost three times more exposure than that of a
dental X-ray. This is due to the
larger field size of the chest.
The
exposure rate for a full mouth series is equal to the sum of all the
individual exposures or only three millirems.
Three millirems are equivalent to about four days of exposure to
radiation received naturally from the sun.
The overall exposure is actually much less than the sum of the individual
X-rays due to the movement of the radiographic tube between exposures to narrow
the exposed area to a very small area.
Panoramic uses approximately the
same amount of radiation you would get on a one way plane ride to Denver.
Remember you may receive more radiation using your microwave than you
receive from one of our X-rays.
Remember that the risks of poor dental health must also be considered,
and may include consequences such as heart disease as well as
abscesses and other oral pathology.
How we protect you: In this office we only take X-rays when
necessary and do all the following to
minimize your exposure to the very low dose radiation:
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We use current advancements of new and faster X-ray films and X-ray
machines. With this modern
equipment the exposure time is in factions of a second. Thus
we use technology that is designed to reduce radiation exposure
levels. through use of an x-ray film that lets us reduce
radiation dosage to the lowest possible with any intraoral x-ray
film on the market.
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All
our patients are required to wear a lead shield apron when we take X-rays to
minimize the amount of radiation exposure to you. Here we drape you with a
protective lead apron to cover the most sensitive parts of your body
(reproductive cells and bone marrow) so they are NOT
exposed to radiation. The lead apron will also attenuate up to 94% of the
scatter radiation.
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We also use positioners to take more accurate radiographs.
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All of our dental assistants have been certified in
radiography.
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If you
are receiving medical radiology, dental X-rays only involve a very small part of
the body that do not usually overlap with the areas exposed in medical
radiology. Dental X-rays are not
stored in the body.
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We always ask
if you are pregnant. If there is
any chance you may be we will NOT
take X-rays even though the measurable uterine dose is literally zero. We ask that you forward your dental records so if you have
had current X-rays to eliminate any unneeded radiation exposure.
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It is important to keep this issue of the safety of radiation in
PERSPECTIVE.
Remember there are
serious health risks every time you drive a car or walk across the street.
Patients who do not consent to a reasonable amount of dental radiography
run a greater risk of dental disease which when left undiagnosed may cause an
even greater health hazard and medical expensives, than the radiograph itself!
Because of
low exposure, the benefit of using X-rays outweighs the fear.
If you have any concerns about X-rays and their safety, please discuss them with
us!
Radiography is an indispensable tool for us to use to detect disease and
are cautiously used by us to provide the greatest benefits to you.
We require necessary x-rays be taken to provide you with the most accurate
diagnosis. We will be unable to perform treatment if you refuse necessary
x-ray diagnostic procedures.
X-ray Safety
during pregnancy:
http://pediatrics.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2004/614/1
http://www.motherisk.org/cancer/pregnancy.php3
http://www.fetal-exposure.org/RADIO.html
February 06, 2008
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