Revealing The Truth About Dental X-Rays

A common question I hear from parents is pertaining to the safety of dental x-rays. I completely understand a parent’s concern for the safety of their child, which is why I am disclosing the full truth about dental x-rays in this article.

Firstly, you should know that dental X-rays play a key role in oral health. They enable a dentist to review his patients’ oral health and identify the underlying problems related to the teeth, jaws, and soft tissues of the mouth. X-rays also help dentists provide an accurate diagnosis and determine the best course of action to treat oral health issues.

Secondly, not all dental X-rays are the same. A dentist may recommend one of more of the following types of X-rays, depending on your child’s condition.

5 Types of X-Rays

1. Bitewing

A bitewing x-ray is used to look at one specific area of your mouth. For example, a dentist might request it to identify cavities in tough-to-reach areas or examine the crowns in a particular area of the mouth, or to assess fillings.

2. Periapical

A periapical x-ray is one that captures the whole tooth. It shows everything from the crown (chewing surface) to the root (below the gum line). This is done in order to examine one or two teeth for root problems, cavities, and oral health issues that affect the surrounding jaw bone.

3. Panoramic

These show the entire mouth and are often used to track a child’s tooth development, for example to determine if he/she might need orthodontics.

4. Occlusal

This type of x-ray illustrates the arch of the teeth from either the top or bottom jaw. They’re mostly used by pediatric dentists to find children’s teeth that have not yet broken through the gums.

5. Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT)

This type of x-ray provides a 3D view of the patient’s mouth to help a dentist assess the development and space of their teeth.

The Risks Associated With X-Rays

Now, is there a risk in taking x-rays? While x-rays do emit some radiation, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), radiation exposure due to dental x-rays is very minimal in comparison to both human-made and natural radiation sources.

To understand this better, the estimated risk of developing a fatal form of cancer from any x-ray varies between 1 in 10,000,000 cases and 1 in 9,100, depending on the type of x-ray and type of cancer. So, while x-rays are very necessary for evaluation, diagnosis, and proper treatment decisions, their risk is absolutely minimal. The minimal radiation and health risk are significantly smaller than, for example, the exposure to radiation from flying and some everyday activities.

I hope this puts your mind at ease. If you have any other questions about the safety of x-rays, I will happily address your concerns during your child’s next visit. I am Dr. Slepak, your very favorite dentist. Call today to schedule an appointment: 718.998.2424. My office is located at 2464 Coney Island Ave Brooklyn NY.