Dental Radiography and Dental Health

Modern dental health care cites dental radiography as one of its most significant tools. It allows for the diagnosis of conditions that would be difficult to identify otherwise, benefiting the patient in the process. As with other types of radiation, there is still a health risk involved to those who are frequently exposed to it since x-radiation has been known to damage healthy tissues and cells. However, since modern dentistry requires smaller and targeted amounts of radiation, no occurrence of genetic damage or cancer caused by dental x-ray has been known to this day. Still, this is no reason for negligence - until further evidence has been unearthed, adherence to proper x-ray guidelines must be strictly followed through. As of current, dental radiation in dentistry aims to attain clinical information while minimizing the radiation exposure to dental personnel, patients and to people within the radiation vicinity.

The dose of radiation received by a patient during an average radiological examination is relatively low and usually, only a few cells are damaged. The American Dental Association states that, in the millisievert (mSv) unit for measuring doses, the estimated exposure from bitewing x-rays s 0.038 while a full mouth x-ray would be at around 0.150. To show better comparison, we can compare these to other types of x-rays such as one taken of the lower gastrointestinal tract (4.060), a chest x-ray (0.80) and the average annual natural radiation in the United States (3.00).

While cellular repair will naturally take place, complete healing is not always the case. Even low levels of radiation exposure may accumulate over a period of time, thus presenting a potential health hazard. Radiation effects usually fall into two categories - genetic and somatic. Genetic radiation effects cause much concern at lower doses. The amount of radiation may appear to be small without incurring observable damages, but with the possibility of chromosomal damage, leading up to mutations that may give birth to genetic defects, such doses should be considered significant when considered for a large population.

Emphasis should be put on the fact that it is currently not possible to pinpoint genetic and somatic effects at low doses and that incident estimates are usually based on extrapolation using relatively high doses. Generally, a radiation dose is a radiation dose - there is no safe level of exposure, and mathematically, there will always be a probability of an abnormality presenting itself. Since the effect of a lower dosage only adds a minimal increase to the deleterious effect past the naturally occurring line, there is insufficient data to prove or disprove the validity of this hypothesis. The ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle was formulated through the generally adopted linear extrapolation hypothesis in radiological protection. The ALARA states that "exposure to radiation which can be decreased without loss of critical diagnostic information and without too much expense or inconvenience should be reduced". Any radiation exposure, regardless of its level, that can be avoided without consequence should be avoided.

Dental facilities must see to it that dental personnel are protected from excessive exposure to radiation while carrying out their work. Radiation workers, or dental staff in general, should leave the room while an x-ray is taking place. While the low dosage may not be as immediately detrimental to the patient's health, a radiation worker may have to take 10 x-rays within one day, and do it on an almost daily basis, which increases the risks of radiation exposure much more significantly.

Karen McDonagh is a proud contributing author and writes articles on several subjects including dental education Australia. She is passionate for Eden Education and always looking for better ways to educate people.