Originally Posted by Bryanna

Hi Grace,

I will repost what you asked and answer in bold letters.

<<<My biggest concern now is that I have been given at least eight X-rays (bitewings I think) for this tooth since May 29, 2013. >>>

A BASIC FORMULA TO MEASURE RADIATION IS TYPICALLY MEASURED IN REMS AND MILLI REMS. TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF THE DIFFERENCE IN EXPOSURE BETWEEN DENTAL AND MEDICAL XRAYS...... FOUR BITE WINGS = 1.3 mREM, ONE PANORAMIC XRAY = 1.9 mREM. COMPARED TO ONE CHEST XRAY = 80 mREM.... ONE LOWER GI SERIES = 406 mREM... ONE UPPER GI SERIES = 244 mREM.

ALSO, THE DENTAL PATIENT INCLUDING THEIR THYROID IS DRAPED WITH A LEAD APRON WHICH PREVENTS RADIATION FROM PENETRATING THOSE AREAS. THE DENTAL XRAY CAMERA IS DESIGNED TO SHOOT THE RADIATION ONLY TO THE TARGET THAT IS AT THE END OF IT. SINCE THE CAMERA IS POSITIONED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE JAW THERE IS MINIMAL SCATTER RADIATION. EXPOSURE TO DENTAL XRAYS IS NOT A CAUSE FOR CONCERN UNLESS YOU HAVE HAD SPECIFIC RADIATION THERAPY, HAVE HAD RADIATION SICKNESS OR HAVE HAD MANY HUNDREDS OF DENTAL XRAYS IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

<<<If I extract the tooth now, the oral surgeon will definitely ask me to take another panoramic x-ray or Cat Scan.>>>

FYI.. BITEWING XRAYS ARE NOT USED TO DIAGNOSE A TOOTH INFECTION AS THESE XRAYS ONLY SHOW THE AREAS IN BETWEEN THE TEETH AND OFFER A VERY LIMITED VIEW OF THE BONE... AND NO VIEW OF THE BONE BLOW THE TOOTH. THE PANORAMIC XRAY WILL SHOW A BROAD VIEW OF THE ANATOMICAL AREAS SURROUNDING THIS TOOTH WHICH GIVES A DETAILED VIEW OF THE INFECTION. A CT SCAN IS DONE IF THE INFECTION IS THOUGHT TO BE WIDESPREAD AND/OR TO DETERMINE IF THE PATIENT HAS ADEQUATE BONE FOR THE PLACEMENT OF A DENTAL IMPLANT.

<<< I have autoimmune hypothyroid and other health issues. I am scared to have one more X-ray in such a short period. Should I wait a little bit longer to remove the tooth or should I do it now?>>>

EIGHT DENTAL XRAYS IS NOT A CAUSE FOR CONCERN REGARDING RADIATION EXPOSURE AS MENTIONED ABOVE. IF YOU HAVE A TOOTH INFECTION, IT IS NOT WISE TO WAIT AS THE INFECTION WILL PROGRESS. IT IS ALSO BEST TO HAVE THE TOOTH REMOVED WHILE ON THE ANTIBIOTIC.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Bryanna