In the past few days there have been a number of media reports about exposure to radiation.
We are exposed to radiation all the time. Radiation is transmitted naturally - for example, from exposure to sunlight. Current concerns about TSA airport scanners have also raised questions about radiation from man-made sources such as medical chest x-rays, CT scans and, of course, dental x-rays. The amount of radiation from dental x-rays is miniscule, especially compared to other man-made radiation sources.
We take dental x-rays with our state-of-the-art digital system, which greatly reducees even that tiny amount of exposure, and we routinely use lead body and neck aprons for even more protection. We only take films that are absolutely necessary for a correct and proper diagnosis. Dental x-rays help us find and treat dental problems at the earliest possible stage, detecting damage and disease not visible during a regular dental exam. This saves time, money and unnecessary discomfort and helps prevent more serious health problems.