Many of my patients have asked, "Do you think I need x-rays?" And the answer is almost always yes.
Here's why:
I've found a variety of dental problems through x-rays that weren't visible to the naked eye. I've found abscesses, cysts, bone loss, fractures, gum disease, and cavities through routine x-rays. My friend, also a hygienist, has found advanced cancer in the jaw. If we don't have x-rays, we can't accurately diagnose, which puts the patient's health at risk.
The main concern I hear from patients regarding x-rays is the dose of radiation that accompanies radiographs. But with advances in digital technology, dental x-rays expose patients to very minimal radiation. Take a look at the figure below and see how dental x-rays compare to other aspects of our lives:
As you can see from the chart above, bitewing x-rays, which are the most common for routine checkups, have a radiation dosage that equates to about 1 day of living with background radiation here on Earth. The dosage is very minimal, thus significantly reducing the risk of radiation-related injury.
So the next time you visit the dentist, just communicate any concerns you have and hopefully we will put your mind at ease! Dental x-rays are a necessity for thorough dental care, but each patient is different so we may be able to come up with a plan that works best for both you as the patient, and us as your providers.
References
University of Michigan School of Dentistry. (n.d.). Dental X-rays. Dental x-rays. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://www.dent.umich.edu/patient-care/dental-x-rays
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