Recently, we have found that more and more of our patients are requesting to skip the annual xrays that we recommend. We understand that some patients may be concerned about potential risks from too much exposure to radiation, however, dental xrays remain a valuable tool in detecting oral health problems. Xrays have been in the news lately because of reports and articles published that link dental x-rays to meningioma. There are a lot of things you should understand before basing any opinions on studies featured in the news.
First, meningioma is a type of brain tumor. According to the American Brain Tumor Association they are the most common primary brain tumor in the country, a small percentage of these tumors require treatment and most are found to be non-cancerous. The American Cancer Society found that people who were diagnosed with meningioma are more likely to report that they have had dental x-rays in their lifetime. These results are not based on dental records but memory, and as we all know our memory does not always serve us correctly. This means that the results of the study are unreliable. The cause of meningioma is unknown and still being researched.
There are many conditions, diseases, and potential problems that a dentist can not see with just a physical exam. Xrays are beneficial in finding cavities, infections, bone loss and disease, tumors and cyst, and so much more! Avoiding xrays could result in inaccurate diagnosis and incomplete treatment. The xrays are actually less risky than undetected and untreated dental issues. Early detection of dental issues often result in more comfortable and affordable care.
The American Dental Association has been providing guidelines and recommendations for dentist to use for well over 20 years. As a precaution the ADA encourages for protective aprons and collars to be used while patients are having xrays taken. Another recommendation is for use of digital xrays, which reduce the amount of radiation you are exposed to by 80%.
Taking xrays once a year is a pretty generic guideline; how often you need dental xrays depends on your individual needs, age, your risk of disease, and based on any questionable symptoms you may be experiencing. We recommend consulting with the dentist about your specific needs if you have concerns but not to avoid them all together.
