Is it really necessary to get X-rays every 6 months, or even every year, when you go to the dentist?

Question

I'm covered under my insurance so it's not a question of money. It's more a question of my health risk. Am I exposing myself to unnecessary radiation?

Answer 1

It's another instance of the medical and dental industries exposing many people to unnecessary health risks just for the sake of profit.

Yes, there is an inherent risk in having your cranium bombarded by x-rays. even if it's relatively minor, meaning it only induces brain cancer in 1 of 1million patients, why would anyone take the chance unless they had an actual dental problem they needed diagnosed? this is only permitted because the government has not gotten around to regulating it yet.

don't help your dentist buy another Mercedes. he/she already has one. if you find a dentist, as i have, that will probe your teeth visually, and with hand-held instruments, then continue to patronize that dentist, and tell your friends and family to do the same. tell me also, if possible.

the x-rays, on top of the health risk, are used as a profit enhancer because they generate more fillings. i am convinced that my teeth have been filled unneccesarily on some occasions. sometimes, I believe, there is no cavity at all, and other times it is so tiny that it seems almost criminal to drill it out to, say, 20 or 30 times its original size, and then fill it, often with mercury amalgam, another established health risk.

please resist these practices, and maybe it'll catch on. today, most dentists you call won't even see you unless you agree to have a full set of xrays. this has to stop.

also, don't think that the fact that your insurance covers it means it doesn't cost you money. employers are not increasing your pay because they have to pay astonishing prices, that go up every year, for health insurance. and if you ever try to open your own business, and buy your own insurance, as I have, you will regret helping the dentists to create the situation through your own complacence.

and thanks for your question. Yahoo should have a way to rate a question. if it did, i'd give you 100pts for this one. in fact, i'll ask about this now.

Answer 2

You know the Mercedese buying, mercury using, money grubbing dentists of the world make a great stereotype. The truth is the vast majority of the dentists out there are good people trying to do their best. I had a conversation today with my wife (also a dentist) that the goal of every filling I do is to provide the best filling money can buy. That's truly the ultimate goal. So conspiracy theorist nut cases can badmouth me all they want. I sleep well at night because I feel everything I do (including use amalgam) is in the best interest of my patients. I've done a lot more research than just finding web sites that confirm my opinion. I have made an honest attempt to research and perform the best treatment possible.
Just using a hand instrument to probe around the teeth misses what's called interproximal decay. Flossing is the number one thing patients hate to do. So cavities in between the teeth (interproximal) are the most common. They can be extremely difficult to detect without x-rays. So Mr. conspiracy theroist feels his cavities were too small to fill. What should the dentist do, watch them get bigger for a few years then fill them? If you were treated and didn't have any decay, that truly is criminal and inexcusable on the dentist's part. But apart from that, It seems the you've demonized and marginalized a profession to which I've dedicated my life, and worked to be the best I can be.

In answer to the original question; yeah, once a year is about right. Cavities take about a year from start to show up on film. Then, if they need to be fixed, they're pretty small and easy to do.
The amount of brain blasting radiation for 4 bitewings is equal to about 15 minutes in the sun. (without getting a tan) or 1 hour in front of the TV (sitting closer to the screen than your mother would want you to).

Answer 3

Most dental offices want bitewing x-rays every year to keep track of bone level (if you are losing bone, you could lose your teeth) and to look for decay that gets started in between your teeth. They should be covering you with a lead apron at this time to help with reducing radiation exposure, even though there isn't that much involved in these x-rays. Some dental offices even have digital x-rays which has over 50% less radiation than the old way. I guess if you're that freaked out by it, you could not do the x-rays, but then you'd be putting yourself at risk for decay that could be caught very small getting larger than it needs to be. Larger decay costs more money to fix. Hope this answers your question. Good luck

Answer 4

Dentists are not taking unnecessary x-rays to buy themselves a Mercedes. They are doing for their own liability if you really look at it in detail. If they see someone every 6 months for a cleaning and dont take x-rays on a yearly basis, or at least recommend it and get a written refusal from a patient who doesnt want them, then they could be held responsible for not catching decay early on. That is their responsibility as a dentist. Yes you do need them yearly, and some people even more frequently. Radiation risks are minimal, when compaired to radiation from other sources.

Answer 5

I really don't remember the exact numbers.

The amount of radiation you receive from routine dental x-rays is miniscule.

Obviously, the less radiation the better, which is why we take measures to minimize exposure....such as using "faster" film, lead aprons, and using the least exposure duration and power settings appropriate for the image we want. Digital radiography also requires less radiation.

This is all academic, however, since we're talking about very small amounts to begin with.

The answer to your question is, "yes". You should have x-rays every 6 months to 1 year.

Answer 6

it depends upon the person and the dentist. if you have a good rapport with your dentist and are faithful about going, and have good teeth in general, you may not have to have X-rays every 6 months. my dentist takes X-rays approx, every 2 years unless he suspects something (which he hasn't as of yet). i was previously a dental assistant and have been an RN for over 25 years and i, like you, would like to get as little radiation as possible (and Yes, i know it's a very small amount from X-rays)

Answer 7

X-rays show the bones around your mouth and how the teeth fit together. Cavities can even show up on x-rays.

Answer 8

Obviously you've never had an abscessed tooth before, or you wouldn't ask that question. And you get more radiation exposure from your microwave oven.

Answer 9

not really unless your contantly having problems. They only usually do xrays if there is root damage or decay. Although they are pricey and since it is covered I would go for it as a preventitive!

Answer 10

Why worry? You have insurance. Use it.