Dental X-rays are key in that they can help a dentist identify and treat issues that cannot be seen in a regular oral exam. They may show small areas of decay between the teeth, gum disease, abscesses and other serious issues. However, each patient’s course of action will be different, depending on his history. Here, Dr. John Benedetto, of Wrigleyville Dental in Chicago, explains how often a patient should get X-rays and who should get them.
How Often Do I Need X-Rays?
The frequency of X-rays depends on each patient’s unique case. In recent times, there has been a trend in dentistry toward more individual treatment. As in most matters of health, what is right for one person will not always work for another. General guidelines suggest that you should have a full series of X-rays every five years (with more frequent general X-rays taken about every six months to a year), but these procedures should be done on a case-by-case basis. If an office is doing standardized care for PPO insurance, they may follow the guidelines in order to comply with the parameters set by the patient’s insurance policy. But in reality, if you have had almost no dental work, take good case of your teeth and have had few problems, getting X-rays done once a year is plenty. If you’ve had significant dental work or gum disease of any kind, then X-rays should be taken a minimum of every six months. A full series of X-rays should be taken every five years whether you’re healthy or not; grave issues such as cancer, cysts or anything serious could develop over time and a dentist needs to see the deeper areas of your mouth which can only be properly viewed through a full series of X-rays.
Can Pregnant Women Have Dental X-Rays?
A long list of items are off limits to maintain a healthy pregnancy, from certain foods to certain over-the-counter medications. It is no wonder why pregnant women may have concerns about X-rays while in the dentist’s chair. However, thanks to new technologies, you can have dental X-rays taken if you are pregnant – but it depends on the type of X-rays. The old X-rays that existed 30 years ago had a huge amount of radiation, which required lead shields and lead in the walls, and the dentist had to leave the room each time. Now, X-rays are digital and use 1/500th of the radiation as in the past. In fact, you may even get more radiation from appliances in your home than you would from a full set of dental X-rays. These X-rays are minor and not cumulative, so they are safe for pregnant women. Medical X-rays are different – they have to pass through deeper structures and therefore have to be stronger. Dental X-rays only need to penetrate a quarter of an inch. To be safe, if you are going to a new dentist for the first time, ask what kind of X-ray system the office uses. If it is not digital, then the practice is not with the times.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
