We are sure that all parents/individuals have the same concerns that how safe a dental radiology is to the kids/individuals

Let us briefly walk you through on "𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆"

Types of X-Rays

There are many different types of x-ray images that can be taken of children in the dental office to assist in diagnosis (if required).

- OPG - Panoramic and orthodontic (cephalometric) extraoral images

- IOPA - intraoral images such as bitewings and periapicals (little films that go inside the mouth); and

- cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘅𝗿𝗮𝘆𝘀?

OPG (usually done in panoramic view) to provide to the dentist a good view of the maxilla and mandible as well as the whole dentition. It is commonly used for comprehensive evaluation of the general oral health condition. It is a 2D X-Ray

IOPA - Periapical films belong to the intraoral category of dental x-rays because the film is inside the mouth. It is designed to evaluate the root and crown of the teeth. It is a more detailed (close up) image of the individual teeth. It is a 2D X-Ray

CBCT - It has been increasingly popular being used. The CBCT device rotates around the head to create many individual pictures of the child’s jaw and teeth,

and these individual images are used to build a virtual three-dimensional (3D) representation.

The benefit of CBCT shall provide important information in 3D view that is not present in the 2D Xray view of OPG and IOPA

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘆?

Every day we are exposed to small amounts of radiation from our environment. This radiation comes from outer space, the ground, building materials, air, and water.

We have also enclosed a radiation chart in the photos as a comparison

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘆?

There is no conclusive evidence that radiation from dental diagnostic x-rays causes cancer. However it is dental operator responsible to keep the radiation level as low as possible to prevent any overdose of exposure.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱?

Dental operators at Kindlehouse Dental Clinic always adopt the following strategies in minimizing the radiation level:

- Only suggest to perform dental imaging when there is a clear medical or dental benefit to the child

- Explain clearly to the parents/guardian/individual on the benefit and risks of both dental imaging and treatment options (Dental imaging provide a better diagnosis in planning dental treatment)

- Always put on safety protection suit (Lead) to minimize the radiation exposure

𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰?

Rest assure that Ministry of Health Malaysia has established a specific guidelines for dental clinics to adhere to i.e. the size of the dental imaging room, the thickness of the brick wall, etc.

In addition to that, dental clinics are required to undergo periodic (every 2 years) on calibration test to make sure the facility is in tip top condition (there is no x-ray leakage that may be harmful)

Infographics on X-Rays Imaging