I am going to the dentist to get perio (deep) scaling and root planning and the dentist insists he take a full

Question

mouth set of x-rays. I am uncomfortable with doing so. I do not want all that radiation and it seems like it isn't necessary as my pockets were measured and they are deep, so could any of you dentists or hygenists please give me some feedback on this. Thank You

Answer 1

Get the xrays done. As others have said, the dentist needs them to properly do the perio scaling.

And, depending on your insurance, if you have dental, the company may require xrays to pay your dentist for the work. That's not a bill you want to pay yourself if you have insurance.

Answer 2

Obviously you have periodontal disease. You should get the x-rays. Most patients complain about getting x-rays. But you either, don't have any on file at this office, or the ones you have are so old the dentist needs to update. You have quite a lot of good advice already. X-rays will show the dentist/hygienist your remaining bone support. (The tissues that surround your teeth). I'm sure you have had probe readings done, and all the collective info leads to you needing root planing and scaling. Oh, and FYI, it takes 300 tiny dental x-rays to equal the strength of a chest x-ray. Usually you only need 16-18 to complete a full set for your mouth. That's hardly enough for you to worry about over-exposure. I would get the x-rays.

Answer 3

Listen to emmalue, Justine and CCTCC. It sounds like you are getting very high-line dental care. You should not tie the hands of the dentist who is offering you this service. Without detailed x-rays, he/she might miss the full extent of some of your pockets and the deep scaling would be virtually worthless in those areas.

If you want someone to do this without x-rays, go ahead and ask, but OFFER to sign a release from liability at the outset. Frankly, even with that release, I would decline to render the treatment, as you could still turn around and sue me for malpractice. The patient can not give the dentist permission to commit malpractice and this is what I think doing a deep scaling without adequate x-rays is. I'd say the choice is whether to have the entire treatment, including x-rays, not whether to have x-rays or not. THAT choice is up to you.

Answer 4

Yes, it is your mouth, but in asking a dental health provider to do any service for you without one of their most important tools is like asking a mechanic to fix your brakes without all of HIS tools.

There are problems that show up on an x-ray that can't be seen by the human eye, for example the root of the tooth!

If radiation is your concern, please understand that dental x-rays expose you to a minimum amount - even less if your dental office has digital x-rays.

What may be hiding under your gums and invisible to the naked eye might do you far more harm than the small amount of radiation you'd get from the x-rays.

So, while it is your mouth and you have a right to refuse treatment, your dentist also has a right to refuse to preform treatment on you and ask you to go somewhere else. He or she would be legally liable if they rendered care that was harmful or inappropriate because they did not have all the information they needed.

Answer 5

Well ur dentist would hve suggested u to go for an OPG which is a single x-ray of the whole mouth n not multiple x-rays. the x-ray would help ur dentist to find out the rough amount of bone loss tat has taken place n the pattern of bone loss n if any lesion is goin on etc. it would just help ur dentist to provide u a better service. n u dont hve to worry abt the amt of radiation u r being exposed to as its within the safety amount n there is no need to worry unless u r a pregnant woman. but still the choice is up to u.

Answer 6

Yes you should let him. The amount of radiation that you recieve from one set of x-rays is not what most people think it is. They need to be able to see the degree of bone loss that you have and also if you have insurance, your insurance company will require a copy of these x-rays before they will pay the claim. If you dont let him dont be surprised when you end up having to pay for the full cost of the procedure, when your insurance company rejects the claim for not having enough evidence that it was a necessary procedure (the scaling and root planning). I have taken training courses on periodontal disease and this is a necessary diagnostic tool that your dentist needs to properly monitor your disease. Periodontal disease is not curable, but it can be maintained if you let your dentist do what he needs to do.

Answer 7

If I was you I would get it done. Most likely they suggested an OPG which shows everything relevent such as the surrounding tissues, interproximal cavities and bone structures. The amount of radiation is very minimal and wont cause you harm. However if you want the best treatment it would help the dentist to see how bad the situation is. It sounds like you already have bad periodontal problems so if you dont want your teeth to fall out, take the proffesionals advice.

Answer 8

The full set of x-rays is necessary to show the tarter build-up that is under your gums. This gives the hygienist a visual of what they are cleaning. There is very little radiation involved in dental x-rays and even less if they are digital. Go ahead and get them done, it will only help your cause.

Answer 9

I've had so much radiation over the years, but I still only have two eyes, and one nose:). I've had a lot of MRI, X-rays etc...everything. They should give you a lead vest to wear, which blocks out much of the radiation. It's only one time. You won't become a mutant or anything. I promise!

Don't worry. The alternative could be worse.

Answer 10

If you don't want to, you don't have too. It's your mouth and your money/insurance. Just tell the Dentist how you feel and what you have decided!!!! She/he will have too go by your wishes!!! good luck!!!!!!!!