Digital X-Rays
Dental radiographs, or dental X-rays, are a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring oral diseases in infants, children, and adolescents. They help evaluate trauma to the teeth and monitor your child’s growth and development.
At Growing Smiles in Floral Vale, we follow the standards set by the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. We treat each child as an individual, and the timing for your child’s initial radiographic examination is based on their specific needs.
We use digital X-rays to ensure safety, as they reduce radiation exposure by 70% compared to traditional film radiographs. We take every precaution to minimize your child’s radiation exposure by applying good radiological practices, such as using protective aprons and thyroid collars, and adhering to the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle.
When to Take Digital X-Rays
We determine the need for radiographs based on each child’s individual needs.
Once the teeth begin to touch, it is difficult to diagnose dental decay without dental X-rays. This is another reason why flossing is so important once the teeth begin to touch, as cavities can form very quickly in baby teeth.
Depending on your child’s risk for cavities, X-rays are taken every 12-18 months until the permanent teeth erupt. The outer shell, or enamel, of baby teeth is thinner than permanent teeth, making the progression of cavities quicker in these teeth and making the use of X-rays even more important. This is because a cavity on a primary tooth can progress in less than 1 year.
How Much Radiation is in a Digital X-Ray?
Radiation Levels: Radiation is measured in milliSieverts (mSv). On average, we receive about 6.25 mSv each year—half from natural background radiation and the other half from man-made sources.
Digital X-Ray Exposure: A single digital X-ray exposure is 0.0001 mSv, which is equivalent to 0.1% of the annual radiation dose. For comparison:
- A 3-hour plane ride: 0.3 mSv
- A chest X-ray: 10-40 mSv
- Daily exposure: About 1 mSv
Dr. Ross Levine explains digital X-rays in the video below:
