Are Dental X-rays Safe?

First of all let’s talk about how x-rays work. When an x-ray is taken the rays strike the film that is behind the teeth and this creates an image on the film. This not only shows the dentist if you have decay or gum disease but it shows cysts, abscesses and tumors.

The panalipse x-ray that we take at Dr. George’s shows us impacted, missing or extra teeth. It also shows us if your child’s permanent teeth are erupting properly and if there is adequate spacing. Dr. George recommends taking a panalipse at your first visit, before orthodontic treatment begins, during the course of orthodontic treatment and also upon completion of orthodontic treatment in order to monitor tooth eruption and treatment progress. If a tooth is not erupting properly it is better to know this early. Often times some early interceptive care can help guide teeth in the right direction when necessary.

You are exposed to many sources of radiation every day including; sun exposure, minerals in the soil, and from home appliances.  The amount of radiation to which you are exposed during the taking of dental x-rays is extremely small. In comparison, the amount of radiation you are exposed to during a panalipse x-ray is comparable to the amount you would be exposed to during a flight from Seattle to Los Angeles. Without the ability to see inside a tooth and beneath the gums, more disease would go unchecked and more teeth would be lost because proper treatment wasn’t started in time. If some dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable and affordable. Dental x-rays are not without risk, but the risk is minuscule compared with the huge diagnostic benefit of keeping your natural teeth healthy and disease free.