“The Danger” of X-rays
We have already understood the necessity of radiographic diagnostics. Now let's talk about the pressing issue and dispel a couple of myths about the “frightening” radiation.
The permissible radiation dose is regulated by sanitary standards and should not exceed 1,000 microsieverts per year. To accumulate such a dose in a year, you would need to perform about a hundred targeted shots with a conventional X-ray machine or about 500 images with a radiovisiograph, approximately 80 panoramic dental x-rays (orthopantomograms), or 40 film-based images. A slightly larger dose is received by a patient during a computed tomography scan, so only 20 such procedures can be done in a year.
Admittedly, it's hard to imagine a situation where this standard would be exceeded.
The “frightening” x-rays of bulky old equipment are long in the past. The situation has changed significantly. A narrow beam of radiation (point focusing) and a short exposure time minimize the potential risk of radiation exposure. People are constantly exposed to radiation. Natural radioactive background is necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. And if we compare doses, people sunbathing on a beach receive more radiation than from dental radiography. Three hours in front of a computer monitor are equivalent to one dental X-ray image. The same three hours on an airplane equal five targeted shots with modern equipment in our clinic, which help to avoid many unpleasant and painful complications.
Children also undergo dental X-ray imaging. The “norm” for children is no more than 400 µSv per year. However, even this mark is impossible to reach in a year with dental radiography: no dentist would prescribe such a number of x-rays.
