Dental X-rays

Dental X-rays are a useful diagnostic tool when helping us detect damage and disease not visible during a regular dental exam. How often X-rays should be taken depends on your present oral health, your age, your risk for disease, and any signs and symptoms of oral disease. For example, children may require X-rays more often than adults because their teeth and jaws are still developing and their teeth are more likely to be affected by tooth decay than those of adults. Dimitri G. Ganim, DDS will review your history, examine your mouth and then decide whether or not you need X-rays.

If you are a new patient, we may recommend X-rays to determine the present status of your oral health and have a baseline to help identify changes that may occur later. A new set of X-rays may be needed to help us detect any new cavities, determine the status of your gum health or evaluate the growth and development of your teeth. If a previous dentist has taken recent radiographs of you please bring a copy of them to your dental visit.

Dental X-ray exams are safe; however, they do require very low levels of radiation exposure, which makes the risk of potentially harmful effects very small. Dental X-ray tools and techniques are designed to limit the body’s exposure to radiation and every precaution is taken to ensure that radiation exposure is As Low As Reasonable Achievable (the ALARA principle). A leaded apron minimizes exposure to the abdomen and may be used when it will not interfere with acquisition of the dental radiograph. Also, a leaded thyroid collar can protect the thyroid from radiation.

Are you pregnant? Make sure to tell us. We err on the side of caution and only take X-Rays that are absolutely necessary, especially during pregnancy. Use of the leaded apron and thyroid collar will protect you and your fetus from radiation exposure. Dental X-rays do not need to be delayed if you are trying to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

If you have any questions about Dental X-Rays, please call our office. We will be happy to help you.