How Frequently Should I Get Dental X-Rays & Other Questions
Dental x-rays are the most frequently used diagnostic tool that Dr. Chamberlain and other dentists emply to provide timely and accurate service.
At Elevation Family Dental, we use all-digital radiography to reach the highest-quality diagnostic imaging while drastically reducing radiation exposure at the same time. Newer digital radiography reduces the amount of radiation exposure up to 80% when compared to older traditional film.
How Much Radiation?
Radiation exposure resulting from standard digital dental X-rays is minuscule. One bitewing X-ray, or the standard X-ray to check for cavities between the posterior teeth, is close to 0.001 mSv of radiation. Putting this into perspective, a average ride on a plane for about 3.5 hours is estimated to expose a person to ~0.01 mSv of radiation. This is 10 times the amount of a bitewing X-ray. In addition, a standard doctor’s chest X-ray is ~0.1mSv, or 100 times the amout a person is exposed to in a bitewing. Lets go even further and compare a chest CT scan equaled to 7 mSv, or 7000 times the exposure of a bitewing. Let’s consider the average radiation an American is exposed to in one year on earth or approximately 3.1 mSv in background radiation from the sun and other sources. To put this into perspective, the exposure of one bitewing X-ray is approximately one 3000th of your annual day to day exposure.
How Often?
Although x-rays are not taken at every visit, x-rays are a frequent part of most dental practices. X-rays help in detecting early signs of tooth decay and malformation, revealing jaw and tooth formation for younger patients and observing general oral health not available to the naked eye.
Considering dental X-rays generally occur every year, there can be some factors that affect the frequency you may receive them. On an individual basis, the frequency of x-rays can be increased or decreased depending on how often disease or concerns are showing up in a patient’s oral health.
These include:
The patient's age
When your dentist is monitoring a specific issue
The patient’s current dental health
The history and symptoms of oral disease
A history of gum disease or gingivitis, bone disease or periodontitis, or tooth decay
How do X-rays Help?
When decay occurs between teeth or underneath aged fillings, an X-ray can often detect the decay years before it compromises the nerve - requiring more invasive and expensive procedures. Early detection and interception of decay are very critical steps to maintaining a healthy smile.
In addition to detecting decay, x-rays will allow Dr. Judd Chamberlain to detect other things often overlooked like bone loss from periodontal disease, the early development of teeth in children and their trajectory as they erupt. X-rays also can reveal problems in a tooth root such as an infection or the death of a nerve. Also, they help locate other problems like cysts, cancer or other changes caused by diseases in the body. Dental X-rays can support Dr. Chamberlain plan as he considers your particular case. X-rays are vital when preparing to place tooth implants, and when considering braces, dentures or performing root canals.
Elevation Family Dental prides itself in caring for your smile while keeping you safe. For that reason, one of the first changes we made was switching to digital x-ray technology.
Judd Chamberlain, DDS
My small-town upbringing translates into how the office treats you as a patient. I have a conservative approach to dentistry and deep respect for your control over your dental choices. What sets me apart from most general dentists is that I completed a voluntary extra year of clinical training in dental specialties after dental school. In addition, for five years, I oversaw a post-graduate dental educational program through the Marillac Clinic. This means that our practice offers many specialty treatments in-house, such as root canals, implants, and extractions. It also means I have a deep understanding and appreciation for the latest technology, methods, and dental materials.
