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Early detection of
disease limits damage and costs
How
often should I have a check-up?
 Depending on each
individual's risk level, dentists recommend a six or twelve monthly
checkup. Regular checkups will help your dentist to detect early
signs of disease so that further damage can be prevented or treated
early. Prevention and early repair saves your teeth and gums from
more expensive treatment that may be required to repair more advanced
decay or gum disease.
Why do I need x-ray photos
every year?
 It is recommended that you
have a set of routine bitewing x-ray pictures every year. Cavities
and gum disease can be painless and thus go unnoticed by the patient for
quite a long time. Small cavities between teeth or under existing
fillings cannot be detected by the dentist using only a mirror and
probe. Similarly, damage to the bone supporting the teeth cannot
be detected clinically until it is more advanced. Dental
radiographs will give the dentist a view of the "hidden" areas
to check that they are healthy.
Even with radiographs some
very small problems may go undetected at a particular check-up.
Repeating the radiographs at regular intervals and comparing the old and
new sets can increase diagnostic accuracy.
Are
radiographs expensive?
The normal films the dentist
places into your mouth to check your teeth are relatively inexpensive
when compared to the cost of having to repair more extensive damage if
problems are not diagnosed early. Each intra-oral film costs
around $21.00.
Sometimes it is necessary or
desirable to have larger extra-oral radiographs taken. These films
cost around $80.00. A cone beam scan is $120.00.
Is it safe to have x-ray
pictures taken?
Click
this link to read about the relative safety of dental radiography.
What
if I am or may be pregnant?
The amount of radiation
reaching the baby during routine dental x-ray examinations is so low as
not to be a factor in considering whether x-ray films should be exposed
or not. Clinical necessity for the films should be the main
consideration.
Read 'The
Source' 'Dental Drill' article on safety during pregnancy on the
National
Radiation Laboratory website.
Why
is a lead apron not necessary for most dental x-ray examinations?
There is almost an
immeasurable amount of scattered radiation, or leakage radiation from a
modern x-ray machine, when used during dental x-ray examinations.
Use of a lead apron to protect the patient is unnecessary in most cases.
Read 'The
Source' 'Dental Drill' article on the National
Radiation Laboratory website. |
