How safe are dental X-rays?
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.
There is very little risk in the use of dental x-rays, but there is a significant risk in not using them. Without x-rays, we would not be able to see hidden cavities, survey erupting teeth, plan orthodontic evaluations or evaluate injuries and health conditions which can not otherwise be detected during a clinical examination. Pediatric dentists are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which children are exposed. Lead aprons and high-speed film are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation. We typically take x-rays only once a year, unless the dentist determines that additional x-rays are necessary for treatment. For more information on dental x-rays, please visit http://www.ada.org/public/topics/xrays_faq.asp.
With contemporary safeguards, such as lead aprons and high-speed film, the amount of radiation received in a dental X-ray examination is extremely small. Even though there is very little risk, pediatric dentists are particularly careful to minimize the exposure of child patients to radiation. In fact, dental X-rays represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem.
