#17715 06-17-2005 04:14 AM | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 30 National OC Advocate/Speaker Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP National OC Advocate/Speaker Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 30 | I had a dental x-ray two years after being diagnosed. All looked good. I did not want additional radiation after having a maximum dose. Since my teeth looked good at my regular 6 month appt, and I had no complaints or symptoms, I did not have another xray until four years later when I had a slight ache. BIG MISTAKE! I have endured so much discomfort because I did not know that a problem was brewing. I ended up needing a root canal, an extraction, a new bridge....and it all may have been avoided if we knew a cavity had started. The benefits of a dental xray every other year outweigh the minute bit of additional radiaiton. Eva  | | |
#17716 06-17-2005 07:21 AM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 64 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 64 | There is also a new digital "filmless" dental X-Ray system that is very popular, that only uses 1/10th the radiation of conventional dental X-rays. Another advantage of it is that they can blow the image up to huge sizes on their computer monitors to look at things in very fine detail, and email the X-ray to another doctor across town who you might be referred to. This is so little radiation that it should never be an issue, even to those of use that have had 7cgy of radiation or more during treatment. Where you need to look at lifetime accumulative doses, are in all the follow up CT's and PET's. That adds up over time as well. Radiation dosage is systemic and for life... But in the end I'd personally rather know that I was having a problem early, than not get the radiation and catch things late when successful treatment wasn't possible. About 3% of those radiated for oral cancer get osteosarcomas in their mandible or facial bones around year 10... not something pleasant to think about, but the percentage is low, and hey...I'd didn't think I'd be here for two years let alone ten!!!
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. | | |
#17717 06-21-2005 11:56 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Eva,
You have stated what I have been telling my patients for almost 35 years about the low risk of dental x-rays. With proper positioning of the patient, calibrated machines, use of lead aprons and thyroid collars, exposure is minimal.
There is no set interval for taking x-rays for every patient. The guidelines, however are:
1. Full sets every 3-5 years. 2. Bitewings every 6-18 months.
These are just guidelines and the interval should be based upon the patient's past history of problems.
As far as digital x-rays are concerned, in my opinion the quality of the pictures are improving as we speak, but they are not as good as regular radiographs in showing detail and are much harder to see subtle changes.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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