What is the Radiation Dose relative to Dental X-rays?
X-rays are an established and essential part of every clinical practice. Gendex imaging solutions provide clinical benefits while supporting the ALARA principle on the use of radiography. Specifically:
- Dental X-rays provide valuable information that allow a clinician to better evaluate what is happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums.
- Dental X-rays assist in precise diagnosis and treatment plans with the goal of better clinical outcomes.
It is the dentist that will make a decision, based upon clinical evaluation, as to whether dental X-rays are warranted and consistent with ALARA principles. Here are the detailed ADA Recommendations.
Here are some data points about radiation doses relative to some common dental x-rays. Note that intraoral sensors do not emit radiation (the source of the radiation is from the X-ray generator). Digital intraoral sensors require less radiation dose than traditional film to produce an image. Gendex dental X-ray solutions are uniquely designed to enable the dentist to further reduce radiation dose thus exposing the patient to less radiation than other digital sensors.
Relative radiation doses:
– A digital sensor BW/PA is 0.004 – 0.006 mSv (50 – 75% less than equivalent film image) 1
– A D-speed film BW/PA is 0.017 mSv1
– A digital pan is 0.020 mSv and a digital ceph is 0.007 mSv2
– A 3D SFOV standard resolution, low dose 4x6 scan range from ~ 0.017 to 0.035 mSv2
– A GXCB-500 HD 8x8 scan is 0.053 mSv
– A flight from London to Los Angeles is 0.080 mSv3
Haven't switched digital sensors yet? Or Are you ready to upgrade to the latest digital imaging solution? Read more about the key reasons to choose Gendex GXS-700 sensors.
1 European Commission. Radiation Protection 136. European Guidelines on Radiation Protection in Dental Radiology. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2004 2 John B. Ludlow, DDS, MS, FDS RCSEd, Professor, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA, April 25, 2011 3 Optimisation of radiation protection for pediatric and adult patients in radiography and computed tomography. Geleijns, Jacob. Proceedings of Third European IRPA Congress, June 2010
