Blog

The Safety Of Dental X-rays

Posted by Silicon Dental Family & Cosmetic Dentistry on Jun 21 2017, 02:10 AM

An article was released to the public stating that dental X-rays contribute to a type of brain cancer. After reading an article like this, your first thought may be to avoid dental X-rays, but you may want to hold off on that quick judgment. As with any treatment we offer at Satbir K. Kahlon DMD Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, education is your most valuable tool in deciding what is best for you.

How often dental X-rays are taken is based on risk for infection, physical symptoms, and clinical findings. The American Dental Association (ADA) is a governing body over the dental profession. The ADA states, “ . . . healthy adults receive routine mouth X-rays every two to three years. Dental X-rays are recommended every one to two years for children and every 1.5 to three years for teens. Children often require more X-rays than adults because of their developing teeth and jaws and increased likelihood for cavities.”

A "caries risk category" often determines how often dental X-rays are taken. The most recent documented resource to determine a caries risk is Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA). This was adopted by the ADA and is used by dental professionals giving interval recommendations for X-rays.

With knowledge of your risk for dental infection, you will be informed by Dr. Satbir Kahlon of the interval at which dental X-rays should be taken. You can rest assured that the standards published by the ADA have been researched extensively and are there to protect your personal health and safety.

Dental X-rays are most commonly digital, which significantly reduces exposure. There is more radiation exposure from the sun or in an airplane than in a dental X-ray. It is common practice to use a lead apron with a thyroid collar for protection during X-ray exposure.

Having a cavity means having an active, potentially harmful infection. Diagnosing such infection with minimal exposure through digital dental X-rays at our San Jose office does more good than harm.

Leave A Reply

Please fill all the fields.

Visit Our Office

San Jose, CA

2060 Aborn Road, Suite 210, San Jose, CA 95121

Email: silicon_dental@yahoo.com

Book Now

Office Hours

  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • SaturdayClosed
  • SundayClosed
408.238.5500