There is a lot of talk about radiation — from the sun, minerals in the soil, household appliances, and also dental x-rays. It is wise to be cautious about the amount of radiation that you are exposed to, so fortunately you take ease in that the dose of radiation you are exposed to during the taking of dental x-rays is extremely small, especially with our digital x-ray technology. Our hygienist, Michelle Sensat, has done some interesting research about dental x-rays.
- The first dental x-ray images were made in the same year they were discovered—1895.
- The huge, radiation-scattering dental x-ray machines of decades ago have evolved into smaller, safer, faster, and better equipment.
- Newer digital radiography (sensor-based systems) requires less than 10 percent of the radiation of the traditional film-based units.
- Digital images can be readily shared among practitioners in the dental and medical fields, making patient treatment more efficient.
- Radiation safety stresses the ALARA principle—keep dose exposures to a patient As Low As Reasonably Achievable.
- There is radiation in the air we breathe, in stone, bricks and cement, in luminous watch dials, our color TV sets, and computer screens. Total lifetime exposure from all sources should be considered.
- Cooking with natural gas and flying cross-country expose you to more radioactive materials than a dental x-ray.
- Dental x-rays help diagnose early-stage cavities, gum diseases, infections, and some types of tumors.
- Boger Dental uses ELDDR—Extremely Low-Dose Digital Radiography
- Finally, to equal the amount of radiation the average citizen picks up from naturally-occurring background sources each year, a dental professional would have to take 950 digital x-rays.
If you have any questions about digital dental x-rays or any of the technology that we have in our office, we welcome you to contact us. We would be happy to tell you more!
References: See Michelle L. Sensat, RDH, MS