Dental
X-rays remain a valuable tool in detecting oral health problems
A study published in
Cancer, the peer-viewed journal of the American Cancer Society, found that
people diagnosed with meningioma, a generally non-cancerous tumor, are more
likely to report that they’ve received certain types of dental X-rays in the
past.
There are several important things to understand about this study:
- This finding doesn’t mean that
dental X-rays cause these tumors; much more research is needed.
- The results rely on the
individuals’ memories of having dental X-rays taken years earlier. The
ability to recall information is often imperfect. Therefore, the results
of studies that use this design can be unreliable because they are
affected by what scientists call “recall bias.”
- The study acknowledges that
some of the subjects received dental X-rays decades ago when radiation
exposure was greater. Radiation doses were higher in the past due to the
use of old X-ray technology and slower speed film.
The American Dental
Association's long-standing position is that dentists should order dental
X-rays for patients only when necessary for diagnosis and treatment. Since
1989, the ADA has published recommendations to help dentists ensure that
radiation exposure is as low as reasonably achievable. As precautions against
radiation, ADA encourages the use of abdominal shielding (e.g., protective
aprons) and thyroid collars on all patients. In addition, the ADA recommends
that dentists use E or F speed film, the two fastest film speeds available, or
a digital X -ray.
Dental X-rays are a
valuable part of detecting oral health problems at an early stage. Many oral
diseases can’t be detected with a physical examination alone. Dental X-rays
help provide information about a patient’s oral health such as early-stage
cavities, gum diseases, infections and some types of tumors.
How often dental
X-rays should be taken depends on the patient’s oral health condition, age,
risk for disease and any signs and symptoms of oral disease that the patient
might be experiencing. If you have concerns the ADA encourages you to talk to
your dentist, but eliminating X-rays altogether could be detrimental to your
oral health.
Above
article from mouthhealthy.org
Tel: 717-259-9596
418 West King Street
East Berlin, PA 17316
USA
