Patients sometimes express concern over the safety and necessity of dental x-rays. Obviously, radiation exposure is a concern. However, dental x-rays emit only very low levels of radiation. In fact, you can absorb more radiation from space simply by being outside for a short period of time.
In spite of their safety, we still take precautions to ensure that we protect your health. We will take the greatest number of x-rays on your first visit to our office. This information provides us with a baseline to measure your oral health. At your subsequent visits, we will take only the x-rays that are absolutely necessary to rule out any common conditions such as decay, bone loss, tumors, cysts, and infection.
Patients sometimes wonder if dental x-rays are truly necessary. At Scott J. Stephens DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we treat our patients the way we would want our own family members treated. Dental x-rays are the best way to catch dental conditions in their early stages when they are often less expensive, less invasive, and less painful to treat.
If you ever have questions about the safety or necessity of your dental x-rays, do not hesitate to ask. It is our goal to make sure you feel informed and confident in the recommendations and treatment you receive in our office.