How safe are dental X-rays?
Dental X-rays have a extremely small amount of radiation to the body. Common dental X-ray films taken in most pediatric dental offices deliver about the same amount of radiation of 3 to 5 days in the sun. To reduce the radiation even further, we utilize Digital Radiographic Technology in our dental office, which filters 80-90% of the radiation that a traditional dental x-rays delivers. We always protect your child with lead apron and shields during the X-rays. Dental X-rays represent a far smaller risk to your child than an undetected dental disease.
Pediatric dentists are particularly careful to minimize the exposure of child patients to radiation. With contemporary safeguards, the amount of radiation received in a dental X-ray examination is extremely small. The risk is negligible. In fact, dental X-rays represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem. Also, we have the latest digital x-ray technology reducing radiation up to 80%.
When it comes to dental health, it is often difficult to detect dental disease without the aid of X-rays. However, with better X-ray machines and the use of lead aprons, dental X-rays have become very safe and the exposure to radiation is minimal. Only enough radiation is used to produce a diagnostic quality film. The development of digital radiography has made X-rays even safer, reducing radiation by another 80%. Digital X-rays are also an environmental benefit, eliminating hazardous wastes created by the film developing process. Furthermore, a healthy child with low risk of tooth decay will require X-rays about every two years, while a child with a high risk will require them more frequently.
