The short answer: yes, the dose is very small
Yes. Dental X-rays are considered safe, and the amount of radiation in one is very small. The American Dental Association (ADA) says dentists should take them only when they are likely to give useful information, and that is how they keep your exposure low.
A routine set of dental X-rays gives you a tiny fraction of the radiation you already get from nature every year. The benefit is that your dentist can find problems early, when they are small and cheaper to fix.
It helps to remember why X-rays are used. A small cavity or a tooth infection can grow for months without pain. Finding it early can mean a quick filling instead of a root canal or an extraction.
How much radiation is in a dental X-ray?
Radiation is measured in microsieverts (µSv). A bitewing X-ray, the small picture of your back teeth, delivers about 5 µSv, according to ADA-related reporting. A panoramic X-ray, the wide picture of the whole mouth, delivers about 20 µSv.
For comparison, people in the United States receive roughly 3,000 µSv a year from natural sources like soil, the sun and the air. So a bitewing is about what you absorb from nature in half a day, and a panoramic about two to three days. Exact numbers vary by machine, so treat these as a guide.
This also explains why your dentist asks about X-rays you had at other offices. If a recent set exists, they can often use it, and you avoid a repeat. Ask your old office to send copies.
Why digital X-rays are better
Digital X-rays use a sensor instead of film. They need less radiation than traditional film, and the picture appears on the screen in seconds. Your dentist can zoom in, adjust the contrast and show you the picture right away.
There are no chemicals to process, and images are easy to save and compare year over year. At Kendall Dental Associates, we use digital radiographs and 3D scans.
Digital sensors also help with comfort. They are thin, and the machine is quick. Many people find them easier than the old film packets that had to be held in place.
How often do you really need X-rays?
There is no one-size-fits-all schedule. The ADA says the timing depends on your age, your oral health and your risk of disease. Cleveland Clinic says people with healthy teeth and gums may need X-rays about once a year, or even less often, while those with frequent cavities or gum disease may need them sooner.
Children are often X-rayed more often, since their teeth and jaws are growing and cavities can move quickly. New patients usually get a full set so the dentist has a baseline.
Your dentist decides based on your exam. You can always ask why a picture is needed, and what it will show.
A few things may mean more frequent X-rays: a history of cavities, gum disease, dry mouth, new symptoms like pain or swelling, or a plan for an implant, a root canal or a new crown.
Are dental X-rays safe during pregnancy?
The ADA says dental X-rays are safe during pregnancy when they are done properly. The dose to a baby is extremely small, because the beam is aimed at your mouth, far from the abdomen. Updated recommendations from the ADA and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology put the exposure thousands of times below the level linked to harm.
That said, many dentists wait on routine X-rays during pregnancy if nothing hurts. If you have pain, an infection or an emergency, an X-ray is safer than leaving the problem untreated. Always tell your dentist if you are pregnant or may be.
Keep up your dental care while pregnant. Gum problems can be more common at that time, and a dental infection is a bigger risk to you and your baby than an X-ray.
If you feel uneasy, it is fine to say so. You can ask your dentist to wait for a routine X-ray until after the baby is born, unless you have pain or another problem that needs an answer now.
Children and lead aprons
Kids can safely have dental X-rays when they are needed. Dentists use smaller sensors and lower settings for children, and they take only the pictures that help.
A child at low risk for cavities may need X-rays less often than one with many cavities. If you are unsure, ask the dentist what they are looking for.
If your child is nervous, ask the team to show the machine first. Letting a child hold the sensor and watch it work often makes the X-ray go much more smoothly.
For years, patients wore a lead apron and a thyroid collar. Newer ADA guidance says these are no longer required for most dental X-rays, because modern machines have tighter beams and lower doses. Some offices still use them, and you can ask for one if it makes you more comfortable.
Rules and practices can vary, so follow what your dentist's office recommends.
What X-rays can find that your eyes cannot
A dentist can see the surface of your teeth, but a lot happens where nobody can look. X-rays can show:
- Cavities between the teeth and under old fillings
- Bone loss from gum disease
- Infection at the root of a tooth
- Impacted or missing teeth
- Cysts or other problems in the jaw
- How well a crown, filling or implant is holding up
X-rays at KDA
At Kendall Dental Associates, we use digital X-rays and 3D scans, and we only take pictures that help us care for you. If you have questions about radiation, ask before your visit. We will explain what each picture is for.
New patients can ask about our New Patient Special: FREE X-Ray, Exam & Consultation (New Patients Only). Call 305-271-1421 to book. We are at 8833 SW 107th Ave, Miami, in the Kendall Mall, open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with emergency care available 24/7. We accept most dental insurances and most Medicare supplemental plans, and financing is available.
Ask us anytime why a picture is being taken. Good care starts with a clear reason, and we are glad to explain.
Common questions
How much radiation does a dental X-ray give?
A bitewing delivers about 5 microsieverts and a panoramic about 20, which is small next to the roughly 3,000 microsieverts you get from nature each year.
How often should I get dental X-rays?
It depends on your age and risk of cavities or gum disease. Healthy adults may need them about once a year or less. Your dentist will set a schedule for you.
Are dental X-rays safe when pregnant?
The ADA says they are safe when done properly. Dentists often postpone routine ones, but will take an X-ray if you have pain or an infection. Tell your dentist if you are pregnant.
Are digital X-rays safer than film?
Yes. They use less radiation than traditional film and give a clear image right away.
Do I need a lead apron?
Newer ADA guidance says it is no longer required for most dental X-rays. Ask your office what they recommend, and ask for one if you prefer.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will confirm what is right for you at your exam. General information checked against: ada.org, mouthhealthy.org, my.clevelandclinic.org, ada.org, ada.org.