Hi Bryanna and all,
I am grateful that I found this forum today and learned quite a lot from every one’s post. Thank you Bryanna for sharing your knowledge and expertise here.
Here is my situation:
I started feeling some sharp pain on tooth 14# at the beginning of May 2013. The tooth was badly infected and the dentist did three root canals for #14 between May 29 and June 8, 2013. The tooth is now sealed (temporarily).
I was given two antibiotics due to pain and infection during and after the root canal (I developed a very bad sinus infection right after the last root canal treatment). I was just off the antibiotic. The sinus infection is better now (temporarily).
I went to an endodontist for second opinion and he suggested having the tooth extracted because it is not restorable anyway. I am now scheduling with an oral surgeon to remove the tooth.
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. If I extract the tooth now, the oral surgeon will definitely ask me to take another panoramic x-ray or Cat Scan. 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?
Many thanks

Grace

I cant say much about your dental issues but working in a hospital I could definitely oppose the CT and question if it was needed.
CT's are exposing you to extreme levels of x-rays in just one hit and if you are young (growing body) the probability of it giving you even more health problems further down the track is highly likely.

If they suggest a CT I would question the necessity of it. 8 x-rays in comparison to one CT is a drop in the ocean. A CT is multiple xrays taken in thin cross sections (slices)

This is a great tool if you want to see your own risk of exposure:
**

Many Thanks. Rose-Anna.

Hrmmm... I tried to post a link there but I cant as I dont have enough posts *lol* Well.... Ill do it this way insead: *****************************

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

Thanks a lot Bryanna for the information.

Hi, and sorry you are having some trouble. I also have auto immune problems and thyroid nodes (lots of them). I have objected to more bite wings and especially CT scan. My dentist respected my wishes. I have had too many MRI's and CT scans for spinal fusions. I am very careful about what I allow now. You have every right to question. Talk you your PCP about this before you go to your dentist if you can. He may have more to say about the CT scans etc. I wish you all the best. ginnie

Thanks ginnie.
For people like us who have mutliple problems, getting the right diagonosis is quite a challenge.
All the best to you too.