Q: Why do I need X-rays?
A: Dentl x-rays are essential preventive and diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without X-rays, problem areas may go undetected. Digital X-rays reduce radiation 80% to 90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental XX-rays.
Detecting and treating dental problems at an early stage may save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort and your teeth!
Q: Are X-rays safe?
A: We are constantly exposed to radiation on daily basis from both natural and manmade sources
Some typical sources that may expose you to radiation also include smoke detectors, watching television (0.5 – 1.00 mrem), cooking with natural gas (about 10 mrem per year from radon gas in the natural gas supply), reading a book for three hours per day (about 1 mrem per year due to small amounts of radioactive materials in the wood used to make the paper), and even from flying in an airplane (about 5 mrem for one cross-country flight because of the increased altitude.) In fact, you receive about 2 mrem per year from sleeping next to someone! This is because all of us have very small amounts of naturally occurring radioactive materials in our bodies.
The average digital dental X-ray delivers about 0.3 mrem.
A panoramic X-ray delivers about 2 mrem.
As you can see, the risks from radiation exposure to dental X-rays are minimal.
The millirem (abbreviated "mrem") is a unit used to measure the effect of radiation on the human body.