Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

Many people are scared of dental x-rays, not knowing the importance of them for a complete diagnostic. An optimal diagnose cannot be done without them because there are issues that a doctor cannot detect unless it is in radiography. 

We offer safe dental x-rays in Edina and will discuss everything you need to know about them.

What is a Dental X-Ray?

If you have gotten dental x-rays near you, you must know that they are like pictures of your teeth. Your dental professional may take intraoral radiography or an extraoral.

Intraoral Radiography

Intraoral radiography, as the name suggests, shows the inside of your mouth. 

Dental professionals can evaluate the condition of your teeth and detect early signs of a problem. 

For example, to the naked eye, you may not have tooth decay. But after your dentist takes intraoral x-rays of your molars, they notice that you are not flossing because you have cavities in between teeth.

Besides cavities, our dentist in Edina can diagnose an alteration with the position of your teeth, or the way they are erupting, or if you have sufficient jawbone.

Extraoral Radiography

On the contrary, this one is not inside the mouth. Your doctor will take these to focus on your skull or to see a general overview of your upper and lower teeth (panoramic x-ray).

With a panoramic, they can see if you have enough space, or you have your wisdom teeth coming, or any dental agenesis (the absence of one of many teeth), and more.

Traditional Vs. Digital X-Rays

Decades ago, there was only one way of taking x-rays. It was the traditional way, with dental films that your doctor needed to develop in a dark room, like an old photograph. You could not enhance the image, and you needed more time to see it.

Nowadays, with digital systems, you can see the image right away through imaging software (they are simple to use), and in them, you may fix the size or the contrast of the x-ray for better detail.

Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

They are. The amount of radiation is insignificant, and even though many people fear these x-rays, they are the ones that expose you less. Besides, your dental professional will take the necessary measures to improve the safety standards, such as placing a leaded shield over the patient.

However, the best radiation dose is the one you prevent. So, even if dental x-rays are not something you should worry about, your doctor will have to weigh if it’s necessary taking the radiography or not. 

In pregnant women, it is best to prevent taking them in the first trimester of the pregnancy. If urgent, placing two leaded shields on the mommy’s stomach instead of one is the correct measure to lessen the risks. 

Dental professionals should also take care of themselves, besides the patients. They must wear the shields if they have to stay inside the x-ray room (in cases where the doctor must ensure the patient does not move, like little kids), but trying to stay out if they can. They are taking x-rays every day, and, as we said before, the dose of radiation is minimum, but prevention is the key.

How Often Should I Get Dental X-Rays?

It depends on the type of x-ray. For example, bitewing x-rays should be taken every six months in your dental visits to control that you have no cavities between teeth. If you do, your doctor will determine the severity of them to plan treatment.

Panoramic x-rays are for patients six to eight years old and must be taken every three years after that until they complete their development.