X-ray Vision

As a dentist, I sometimes wish I have X-ray vision so that I can see through those teeth and jaws...

Radiography is essential in dental practice. Radiographs are useful in detecting tooth decay during a routine dental check-up, especially decay under an old filling (secondary caries) and decay in between teeth (interproximal caries). It is better to detect interproximal cavities early to avoid a more complex and expensive dental treatment when decay becomes large. Some of these cavities are consealed and difficult to detect by just doing an intraoral examination. After explaining this to my patients, they usually agree to do the radiographic examination. Most dental procedures require taking radiographs. For each root canal treatment, at least three radiographs are required.

Many are concerned about ionizing radiation from the dental X-ray. X-ray machines nowadays are more sophisticated. I assure my patients that the radiation dosage is very low, which is 1-8 microSv for an intraoral radiograph (Bitewing/Periapical). We are exposed to more radiation from natural sources everyday, for example, cosmic ray, gamma radiation, foodstuff etc. To put you in perspective, the average annual dose of radiation from cosmic rays and gamma radiation are 300microSv and 400microSv, respectively.

X-ray facilites in private dental clinics are regulated by The Ministry of Health , with specific guidelines, for example, minimum size of the X-ray or treatment room and lead-lined walls of the room, to ensure safety radiation.