Many patients have questions surrounding when they need to take x-rays and if they have a choice. Let’s look at Dental x-rays a little closer to answer these questions and more.
Dental x-rays allow us to see between your teeth and under the gums to the bone which is responsible for holding your teeth in place. These hidden areas can have a big impact on the maintenance of your teeth and gums. In short, dental x-rays allow us to catch and treat hidden problems as early as possible. X-rays also allow us to catch cysts and tumors that can occur in the jaw, but may not necessarily cause symptoms.
Here are a few questions I am frequently asked by patients:
How frequently should I have x-rays taken?
New patients will have x-rays taken when they enter the practice. After that, we will take a few x-rays every year or two for adults and a full set every five years as a part of the Complete Oral Exam. If you’ve had x-rays taken at another dentist within the last year, we can request that they be transferred to our office.
What if I don’t want to have x-rays?
You’re always allowed to refuse x-rays for yourself or for your children. However, we don’t recommend avoiding x-rays as they greatly enhance our ability to find and treat problems. We may, in some cases require that you sign a release when other medical factors are present which may we increase risk, but you will be informed of such risks and you’ll always have the final say.
How much radiation can dental x-rays expose us to?
Exposure to radiation from dental x-rays is minimal. Forman Dental Care switched to digital intra-oral x-rays in January 2010 allowing us to cut your exposure by 50%. You will always be protected by a lead apron with a thyroid collar. In actuality, you’ll be exposed to about one fifth of the radiation as you would from living in a brick house for a year, which is very low.
If you have any questions or concerns about dental x-rays or any other dental issue, please don’t hesitate to contact Forman Dental Care. To make an appointment, you can use our
appointment booking tool, or call us at (905) 303-9355.
