Tag: x-rays

X-rays are needed to detect decay in areas that cannot be visualized. X-rays are also used to detect bone loss, infections, cysts, and tumors. In addition to X-rays, a dental exam is the only way to determine if you have dental problems such as cavities, defective fillings, cracked teeth, or oral cancer. Although hygienists are highly qualified, they are not trained to diagnose these issues. Dental disease usually worsens with time and may be extensive when finally detected. Without a dental exam and X-rays there is no way to tell if you have some of these severe dental concerns. For this reason, we Read More →

How is radiation measured? Radiation is measured in units called Sieverts. Because of the small amount of radiation emitted during dental x-rays, it is measured in MicroSieverts (one millionth of a Sievert). Many patients are concerned about the amount of radiation we get from dental x-rays, so we’d like to give you something to compare this to. How much radiation is significant? Doses of radiation below 100,000 MicroSieverts indicates that risks of health effects are either too small to be observed or are nonexistent. The bitewing x-rays we take are only 0.03% of this amount! The potential health risk from dental Read More →