What are the risks of dental images?
WHAT ARE THE RISKS FROM RADIATION? The risk from a single dental x-ray image is very small. However, some studies do show a slight increase in cancer risk, even at low levels of radiation exposure, particularly in children. To be safe, we do everything we can to keep the radiation exposure as low as possible.
Dental radiographs can alert your dentist to changes in your hard and soft tissues. In chil- dren, radiographs allow the dentist to see how their teeth and jawbones are developing. Like medical radiographs, dental radiographs allow your dentist to evaluate any injuries to your face and mouth.
Several studies have found an association between dental X-ray exposure and increased risks of brain cancer [12,13], tumors of the parotid gland [14] and breast cancer [15] and thyroid cancer [16,17].
According to the American Dental Association, x-rays can show tooth decay, fillings, gum disease, and types of tumors. Dental radiographs can also alert your dentist to changes in your hard and soft tissues. In children, radiographs allow the dentist to see how their teeth and jawbones are developing.
However, as well as saving lives by treating tumours, stray radiation also has the ability to damage healthy tissue and it can cause side effects ranging from skin damage and fatigue to serious organ damage, depending on the part of the body that has been treated and the dose delivered to the healthy tissue.
Dental x-rays are a great diagnostic tool that can help your dentist see any damage or disease that isn't visible to the naked eye. With x-rays, dentists can accurately diagnose and treat dental problems and be proactive rather than reactive to issues in the mouth.
Among local risk factors are the form and arrangement of teeth, salivary flow and oral hygiene. General risk factors include age, sex, race, geographic location and social class.
- Faster Processing Time. With traditional x-rays, it took quite some time to get the images ready. ...
- Better Image Quality. To be able to make a proper diagnosis and provide the needed treatment, clarity and details in dental imaging is very important. ...
- Demands Less Resources.
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) A PPO is a dental plan that uses a network of dentists who have agreed to provide dental services for set fees. ...
- Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) ...
- Discount or Referral Dental Plans.
There are three types of diagnostic radiographs taken in today's dental offices -- periapical (also known as intraoral or wall-mounted), panoramic, and cephalometric. Periapical radiographs are probably the most familiar, with images of a few teeth at a time captured on small film cards inserted in the mouth.
What are the disadvantages of using digital radiography in the dental setting?
Additional disadvantages of digital dental radiographs include the following: Sensor size: Some direct systems sensors are thicker and bulkier than dental films, causing patient discomfort, especially for those prone to gagging. Digital sensors are smaller than standard film, so they show less image areas.
Because tissue effects are extremely rare for typical use of many X-ray imaging devices (including CT), the primary radiation risk concern for most imaging studies is cancer; however, the long exposure times needed for complex interventional fluoroscopy exams and resulting high skin doses may result in tissue effects, ...
Weighing the Radiation Risks of CT, X-ray and Other Imaging
Very high doses of radiation cause damage to human cells, as evidenced by skin burns, loss of hair, and increased incidence of cancer. Because high doses of radiation can cause cancer, it is therefore generally assumed that low doses may also cause cancer.
Radiography limitations:
Relatively slow inspection process. Sensitive to flaw orientation. Usualy not possible to determine depth of indications. Two-sided access to test object is required.
The important components of the radiographic image quality include contrast, dynamic range, spatial resolution, noise, and artifacts.
| CR | DR |
|---|---|
| Can be retrofitted to existing installations | All-new setup necessary |
| Lower image quality | Better image quality |
| More time to final image viewing (5-7 minutes) | Rapid image viewing (within 1 minute) |
| Labor-intensive due to the need for cassette transfer to the plate reader | Completely digitized setup |
Diagnostic imaging provides detailed information about structural or disease related changes. Early diagnosis saves lives. Without diagnosis there can be no treatment, there can be no cure.
Today, to benefit humankind, radiation is used in medicine, academics, and industry, as well as for generating electricity. In addition, radiation has useful applications in such areas as agriculture, archaeology (carbon dating), space exploration, law enforcement, geology (including mining), and many others.
It is used in medicine to diagnose illnesses, and in high doses, to treat diseases such as cancer. Also, high doses of radiation are used to kill harmful bacteria in food and to extend the shelf life of fresh produce. Radiation produces heat that is used to generate electricity in nuclear power reactors.
- Hair. Loss of hair fall occurs when exposure to radiation is higher than 200 rems.
- Heart and Brain. Intense exposure to radiation from 1000 to 5000 rems will affect the functioning of the heart. ...
- Thyroid. ...
- Blood System. ...
- Reproductive Tract.
What is the most common cause of poor definition in a dental image?
Poor Image Definition/Sharpness
Poor image definition or resolution can be the result of patient movement, receptor movement, and/or vibration of the x-ray tubehead.
Most people with healthy teeth and gums should have dental X-rays taken once every six to 18 months. But if you have gum disease, recurring decay or other time-sensitive oral health issues, you may need more frequent X-rays.
A good dental impression ensures that your new restoration or appliance fits exactly as it should. Poor-quality impressions can result in poor fit and function. Dental impressions are an essential aspect of dentistry today. Without them, custom dental restorations wouldn't be possible.
Types of Risks
Widely, risks can be classified into three types: Business Risk, Non-Business Risk, and Financial Risk.
- strategic risk - eg a competitor coming on to the market.
- compliance and regulatory risk - eg introduction of new rules or legislation.
- financial risk - eg interest rate rise on your business loan or a non-paying customer.
- operational risk - eg the breakdown or theft of key equipment.
Risk factor examples
Negative attitudes, values or beliefs. Low self-esteem. Drug, alcohol or solvent abuse. Poverty.
Radiographic Testing ( RT ) Inspection Benefits
Minimal surface preparation required. Determination of crack growth. Detection of both surface and subsurface defects. Permanent record of the inspection.
Dental radiographs can alert your dentist to changes in your hard and soft tissues. In children, x-rays allow the dentist to see how their teeth and jawbones are developing. Dental x-rays can help your dentist identify diseases and developmental problems before they become serious health issues.
On top of their base pay, radiography professionals typically enjoy additional employee benefits like health and dental insurance, paid sick leave and vacation time, and retirement savings plans.
Risk assessments within a dental practice are important for protecting your business, staff and patients, helping you to ascertain what could go wrong and understand whether you have the right protocols in place to prevent those risks. They are a method of learning and improving and are a vital part of your compliance.