Dental X-rays: Safety Concerns and Health Impacts

I am very afraid of X-rays?

Hello, doctor: Recently, there have been many reports in newspapers and on television about electromagnetic waves from substations, base stations, etc., which seem to cause both physical and mental fears regarding their impact on the human body.
The most direct effect is that X-rays are a form of radiation with penetrating ability, and excessive exposure is not good, right? Every time I need to have X-rays taken by my dentist, I feel an inexplicable aversion.
If radiation affects health, it would be quite detrimental.
In previous visits, I was fine because I wore a lead apron and had one X-ray taken at a time.
However, this time when I went for a dental check-up, I encountered a type of X-ray machine where a 7-shaped rod was placed in my mouth, and my chin rested on the machine without any protective clothing.
I then saw a cylinder roll from front to back once.
Is this machine safe? Does it mean my entire head was exposed to radiation without any lead protection? Will this affect my health? Is there any residual radiation? Thank you for your response!

Da Fei, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2007/02/02

Dr. Zeng Guanghui reply Dentistry

The term refers to panoramic dental radiography, which is generally used to assess the condition of the upper and lower jaw teeth, such as the presence of cavities, apical lesions, or any abnormalities in the jawbone, including fractures or trauma.
Typically, if the imaging is not performed frequently, it does not have significant adverse effects on the human body.

Reply Date: 2007/02/02

More Info

When it comes to dental X-rays, many patients share concerns about radiation exposure and its potential health impacts. It's understandable to feel apprehensive, especially given the prevalence of discussions around radiation and its effects on health. However, it's important to contextualize these concerns within the framework of medical necessity and the relative risks involved.

Firstly, dental X-rays are a crucial diagnostic tool that allows dentists to visualize areas of the mouth that are not visible during a regular examination. This includes detecting cavities, assessing the health of the bone surrounding the teeth, and identifying other dental issues. The amount of radiation exposure from a dental X-ray is relatively low. For instance, a single dental X-ray typically exposes a patient to about 0.005 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation, which is significantly lower than the annual background radiation exposure that an average person receives from natural sources, estimated at around 3 mSv per year.

To put this into perspective, the radiation dose from a full mouth series of dental X-rays (which may include 14 images) is comparable to the radiation exposure one would receive from natural background radiation over the course of a single day. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) states that doses below 100 mSv are unlikely to cause any significant health effects, including cancer. Therefore, the risk of developing cancer from occasional dental X-rays is extremely low.

Regarding your specific experience with the X-ray machine that you described, it sounds like you underwent a panoramic X-ray, which is a common procedure in dental practices. This type of X-ray captures a broad view of the teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures in a single image. While it may seem concerning that you were not wearing a lead apron during this procedure, it's important to note that modern dental X-ray machines are designed to minimize radiation exposure. They focus the radiation beam specifically on the area of interest, and the amount of scatter radiation that reaches other parts of the body, including the head and eyes, is minimal.

However, if you have concerns about specific areas like the thyroid gland, which is sensitive to radiation, you can always discuss the use of protective measures, such as a lead thyroid collar, with your dentist. This is especially relevant if multiple X-rays are needed in a short period, as repeated exposure can accumulate.

In terms of residual radiation, once the X-ray is taken, there is no lingering radiation in your body. The radiation exposure is instantaneous, and your body does not retain any of it. The body has mechanisms to repair any potential damage caused by low levels of radiation exposure, and the risk associated with dental X-rays is considered very low when weighed against the benefits of accurate diagnosis and treatment.

If you continue to feel uneasy about the frequency of X-rays or the techniques used, it is advisable to have an open conversation with your dentist. They can explain the necessity of the X-rays in your specific case, the safety measures in place, and any alternatives that might be available. Ultimately, the decision to proceed with X-rays should be made collaboratively, considering both the medical need and your comfort level.

In summary, while it's natural to have concerns about radiation exposure from dental X-rays, the actual risk associated with them is quite low. The benefits of accurate diagnosis and treatment typically outweigh the risks, especially when proper safety protocols are followed. Always feel empowered to ask questions and express your concerns with your healthcare provider to ensure that you feel comfortable and informed about your care.

Similar Q&A

Are Dental X-Rays Harmful? Understanding Radiation Exposure Risks

Hello, doctor. I would like to ask if the X-ray machines used in dentistry have any effects on the human body. When I went in for the X-ray, I wasn't wearing any protective clothing; I just bit down on a T-shaped stick and watched as a machine moved from left to right to com...

Dr. Cai Mengru reply Family Medicine
Dear Mr. A-Fei, In fact, radiation is ubiquitous in our natural environment, referred to as background radiation. A full set of 14 dental X-rays is approximately equivalent to the amount of radiation one would receive in a day from natural sources. To put it another way, a singl...

Concerns About Full Mouth X-rays and Head Radiation Exposure Risks

During a dental appointment two years ago, before the dentist examined me, the dental assistant requested to take a full-mouth X-ray for the dentist's future reference. However, it seemed that the assistant was either not skilled in adjusting the equipment or there was a mal...

Dr. Yang Jinghua reply Radiology
Dear Yin-Yin, Hello. According to the regulatory authority for medical ionizing radiation devices in Taiwan (Atomic Energy Council), it is important to pay attention to radiation safety when using dental X-ray machines, and approval must be obtained from the Atomic Energy Counci...

Impact of Dental X-rays on Radiology Staff: Safety Concerns for Pregnant Nurses

Hello Dr. Wu, I have a few questions I would like to ask you. I am a nurse working in the dental department of a regional teaching hospital, and there is a possibility that I may become pregnant soon. However, I have not received clear answers from the dental specialists regardin...

Dr. Wu Bin'an reply Radiology
Dear user, due to various factors, I apologize for the delayed response. Here are the answers to your questions: 1. Based on your current work situation at a regional teaching hospital, radiation protection personnel conduct strict radiation monitoring annually, so radiation saf...

Understanding Radiation Exposure from Dental X-rays: Health Implications

Hello, Doctor: I would like to ask if the radiation doses from the dental radiographic examinations I underwent in the past six months could have any impact on my health. In September 2015, to confirm the presence of a dental fracture, I had three panoramic X-rays and four periap...

Dr. Zeng Guanghui reply Dentistry
In principle, the radiation dose from 100 periapical dental radiographs is equivalent to that of one chest X-ray. If dental X-rays are taken solely for diagnostic purposes, the radiation dose should not exceed that amount.