Dental X-Rays

bunalunhoney

I was just wondering does anyone have any info on how often dental x-rays are/should be carried out? The reason I ask is that my BF recently attended his dentist for a routine check up and the dentist carried out 2 x-rays in case he needed any fillings. He attends his dentist for a yearly check up and goes to the hygienist twice a year for a clean and had absolutely no symptoms indicating that he may have a problem. This raises the issue of both cost and exposure to perhaps unnecessary x-rays(a small risk I know but surely better not to have an x-ray if not required). Are we maybe too quick to accept what a person in a white coat says? I have browsed the net but can't find any guidelines regarding this. Any info or links would be greatly appreciated.

davo10

This is a little bit of a catch 22. Dentists are required to have a clinical necessity to take an x-ray but some would argue that an examination is a clinical necessity given that when looking in a patient's mouth we are able to see only the outer surface of the tooth and therefore unable to examine under fillings by direct vision. X-rays are used not just to check for decay but also for periodontal disease and abcesses which may not yet be symptomatic. I generally take them for new patients to keep a record of condition of teeth when the patient registers at my surgery and them maybe every 18mths to 2 years if there are no problems. If the patient has a history of high decay rate or gum disease i may take them more frequently. As for exposure, more dentists are now installing digital xray equipment which means the patient is exposed to miniscule doses of radiation

bunalunhoney

Thanks for info.

fldats

Thank you for your very informative article.

dental_care

The Americal Dental Association recommends people with healthy gums and teeth can have dental X-ray once in every 2-3 years, while people with oral complications can have X-rays in every 1-2 years.