Dental X-rays Are Safer Than They Used To Be

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• Dental X-Rays Are Safer Than They Used To Be

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• One of the most important tools family dentists
  use is the dental x-ray.

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• X-rays allow dentists to determine conditions
  that may not be evident during visual examination.

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• Hidden conditions, such as root disease, impacted
  teeth and problems of the jaw can be found.

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• Problems that may affect successful rejuvenation
  of teeth can be detected by cosmetic dentists.

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• Today, both x-ray equipment and techniques have
  been refined to a high level of precision that
  makes them safer than ever.

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• History of X-Rays in Dentistry

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• The history of dental x-rays begins with the
  discovery of radium by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in
  1895.

1895
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• The ability to see the boney structures inside
  the body opened up new opportunities to
  understand and treat numerous diseases
• and injuries.

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• Very soon after this discovery, Dr. Otto Walkhoff
  in Braunschweig, Germany, took the first x-ray of
  the oral cavity.

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• These early x-rays took significantly more time
  to produce an image, often as long as 25 minutes.

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• The new technology quickly spread throughout
  Europe and to the United States, where it was
  used to help patients with hidden dental
  conditions.

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• Recommendations on
• Dental X-rays

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• Because of the dangers of excessive amounts of
  radiation during diagnostic x-rays, strict
  controls have been put on the use of x-ray
  equipment.

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• Agencies such as the U.S. Food Drug
  Administration, as well as the American Dental
  Association, provides a number of guidelines in
  regard to who should get dental x-rays, how many
  x-rays should be administered and the safest way
  to administer x-rays.

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• These recommendations are implemented to ensure
  that minimum amounts of radiation are used to
  diagnose dental problems.

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• SafeLevels of Radiation

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• Radiation occurs naturally in the environment,
  and people are exposed to it as they go about
  their normal lives.

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• Some activities, such as taking an airplane
  flight, expose people to slightly higher levels
  of radiation.

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• The amount of radiation patients receive as a
  result of dental x-rays is thousands of times
  less than natural radiation.

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• Unfortunately, there is no known safe
• level of radiation.

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• Because of this uncertainty, medical and dental
  equipment designers continuously try to develop
  equipment that uses less radiation than previous
  equipment, yet still effectively creates the
  images that help to diagnose and treat medical
  and dental conditions.

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• Dental X-Rays Have Improved

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• In the early days of x-rays, patients were
  exposed to large amounts of radiation that could
  potentially cause cancer many years later.

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• Today, new technology has allowed x-ray equipment
  to use minute amounts of radiation to produce
  high-quality images of the structures inside of
  the teeth and jaw, with minimal risk.

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• Digital radiography uses up to 90 percent less
  radiation than traditional film x-rays.

90
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• The digital equipment also eliminates the need
  for chemicals to process the images, making them
  more environmentally friendly.

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• Computer tomography, or CT scans, that allow the
  even greater examination and diagnosis of
  internal structures possible, using very small
  amounts of radiation.

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• Advances in Dental X-Ray Technology

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• The hand-held x-ray machine and other
  developments are helping to bring the power
• of radiologic diagnosis to areas of the world
• that previously could not support this
• complex technology.

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• No doubt greater improvements will bring even
  more safety and convenience to x-ray equipment in
  the future.

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• If you are seeking professional dental advice,
  it's time to call Shumway Dental Care.

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• Their Chandler dentists will ask you questions,
  examine you, and determine exactly what needs to
  be done to get you back to normal.

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• Call today for an appointment.
• Visit
• www.shumwaydental.com

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• SHUMWAY DENTAL CARE
• 3150 S Gilbert Rd Suite 1
• Chandler, AZ 85286
• [phone]