Before you visit your dental clinic Melbourne cbd you may be asking yourself if dental X-Rays are safe should you need to have one.
When you visit a dental clinic Melbourne, your dentist may need to assess where your teeth are sitting and what’s going on under your gum line. The best way for them to do that is to have dental X-Rays done of your mouth to diagnose your dental issues.
Dental X-Ray Information
Dental X-Rays, also called radiographs are provided as two different forms of dental imaging that cover specific areas within those categories:
- Extra-oral – capturing an image of the outside of your mouth and often capture a larger area.
- Intra-oral – capturing the inside of your mouth to assess bite, roots, teeth and any restorations or cosmetic surgery.
The Radiation emitted from dental x-rays is lower than a chest x-ray which is considered to be the same amount as you would get on a flight from Sydney to Cairns.
Other factors that impact the radiation dose are such things as the equipment the dentist uses, your age, health, body size, gender and anatomy. With the modernization of dental imaging technology, the exposure to radiation has reduced.
Your dentist will only x-ray the sections of your mouth that are necessary. For more detailed information see the Australian Government Medical Imaging Information.
While there is a slight risk of cancer later in life from low level radiation, it becomes harmful when exposed at higher levels such as over 500mSv (milliSieverts), which dental X-rays are not as they only emit small amounts. For example, if you have an x-ray on each side of your mouth you will be exposed to approximately 0.0025mSv. To put that into perspective, we are exposed to approximately 2mSv) annually from background exposure in our daily environment.
Your dentist will discuss whether you need a dental X-ray depending on whether you are a first patient at the dental clinic Melbourne and what treatment you may require.
While the radiation from dental X-rays is low, it is not something that should be or would be done on a regular basis. Generally, there will not be a need for further X-Rays unless a dental procedure needs further examination. An example of this is if dental surgery was conducted to remove teeth to allow for other teeth to move into place. If the tooth that was supposed to move down is stuck, a further X-ray may be needed to see where the tooth is stuck.
If you are concerned about dental X-rays then feel free to speak with a dentist at our dental clinic to have your questions answered. Reach out to our office today to book an appointment.
