Radiography and the production of x-rays is an extremely useful tool in the medical and dental professions. They help with diagnostic purposes and give us an insight into areas we usually are unable to see just with our eyes.
In dentistry we take x-rays for many reasons as they can help us to identify caries, abscesses, periodontal problems (gum disease) and are also a great way to have a record of your teeth. It’s recommended that general check x-rays are taken every two years, while for diagnostic purposes x-rays are taken only when necessary.
A question we often receive though when taking x-rays is “are they safe?”. Our answer to this question is yes! Today with all the technology around us many
different things also emit radiation not just x-rays. Some everyday items that emit radiation are: mobile phones, microwaves, and even smoke detectors. While all of these emit small amounts of radiation we still ensure that the radiation dose you receive when a dental x-ray is taken is kept to a minimum and only when required, as over time the radiation dose people can receive from everyday items can build up.
Radiography has made many advances over the years and today we use digital x-rays. Digital x-rays still emit radiation however the dosage is kept very low. While these x-rays are completely safe the dentists still take precautions to ensure that patients receive even less exposure. This is done by only taking x-rays when necessary and also providing the patient with a lead apron for extra protection.
Fact: The amount of radiation a person is exposed to when a dental x-ray is taken is 1000th the amount of radiation they are exposed to daily in the sun.
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