What to Know About Dental X-rays
What to Know About Dental X-rays
By The Wave Agency
While we are aware of the negative effects of x-rays today, technological advancements have allowed for less risk to the parts of your body that are not being focused on by X-rays. Some patients may feel apprehensive about dental x-rays, but their benefits, especially when it comes to catching diseases, cavities, and other oral afflictions often outweigh the negatives of x-ray technology.
e.s.i. Healthy Dentistry’s Dr. Kilimitzoglou has this to say on the topic: “... living things, humans included, are used to being exposed to this background radiation … We could say that one dental x-ray is equivalent to a few minutes of background radiation.”
Dr. K continues, writing that the concentrated nature of an x-ray being placed over an area that is non-radiosensitive is simply not as dangerous as general radiation exposure is thought to be by the average person. Sensitive organs are shielded from x-rays thanks to the devices themselves, as well as the procedure surrounding these devices, blocking sensitive parts of the body from exposure.
When discussing studies as to the harmful effects of radiation on the body, there is debate as to whether these historical studies can be compared to single bursts of x-rays. Dr. K writes, “To compare single bursts of x-rays from dental exams and extrapolate them to a whole-body dose that atomic bomb survivors received and then compare it to cancer risk decades later doesn’t seem scientifically valid.”
Scientific evidence over years of compounded studies is clear, the radiation present at dental exams does not increase risk of cancer within the body from x-ray exposure. This is certainly true thanks to the advancement of digital x-rays, which has allowed for x-ray exposure to decrease dramatically across the board.
Ultimately, x-rays are a positive for the dental field. They can ultimately save a life or at least one’s oral health by being able to see what the naked eye cannot. X-rays are tools that allow dentists to properly diagnose and treat patients in the most effective manner possible.
The experienced team at e.s.i. Healthy Dentistry is here to help with all of your dental needs. Schedule an appointment today!
