IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL X-RAYS
Many dental problems, such as cavities between the teeth, gum disease, infections, cysts and tumours, can’t be seen during a regular exam. Most cavities don’t hurt at all until they’re large. Digital X-rays help us find problems early, when treatment is simpler and before they lead to bigger concerns.
HOW WE KEEP YOUR X-RAYS SAFE
Digital X-rays need up to 80% less radiation than traditional film. At Highview Dental, our digital X-ray machines are tested every year to make sure they work safely and use the lowest dose needed for a clear image.
- Digital sensors. Digital X-rays need less radiation than traditional film, and the images appear right away.
- A lead apron with a thyroid collar for every patient.
- Only when needed. We take X-rays only when they’re needed for diagnosis or treatment, based on your dental health, age and risk, not on a fixed schedule.
- Tested every year. An independent radiation-safety company tests our X-ray machines every year, as Ontario law requires.
- Daily quality checks on our digital X-ray system.
- A dentist in charge of safety. Dr. Lazarus is our Radiation Protection Officer, the dentist responsible for our X-ray safety program.
- HARP-certified team. Everyone who takes X-rays at our office is HARP-certified, meaning trained and qualified under Ontario’s Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act.
HOW MUCH RADIATION IS IT?
We’re all exposed to small amounts of natural radiation every day, from the ground, the air, certain foods and air travel. A small dental X-ray (a bitewing) is about 5 microsieverts (µSv), roughly the same as one day of natural background radiation in Canada. The chart below shows how it compares.
| (µSv) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Eating a banana | 0.1 | |
| 1 dental digital X-ray | 5 | |
| 1 day of natural radiation | 5 | |
| 4 dental digital X-rays | 20 | |
| Cross-Canada flight | 20 | |
| Chest X-ray | 100 | |
| Mammogram | 420 | |
| 1 year of natural radiation | 1,800 | |
| Head CT scan | 2,000 | |
| Chest CT scan | 7,000 |
*Graph not to scale: bars above 100 µSv are shortened. A chest CT scan is about 1,400 dental X-rays.
Sources: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission; Health Physics Society (dental X-ray); University of Groningen (banana).
HOW OFTEN SHOULD DENTAL X-RAYS BE TAKEN?
At Highview Dental, X-rays are only taken when necessary for diagnosis and treatment. Their frequency depends on your dental health, signs of dental problems, age, and risk for oral disease.
Please tell us if you are, or might be, pregnant.
