Furthermore, dental x-rays allow us to monitor your bone levels, look for bone abnormalities and make sure none of your old fillings and crowns are failing.



HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET A DENTAL X-RAY?



Like any disease, symptoms At Third Street Dental, we follow the internationally accepted guidelines of the ALARA principal , which states that x-rays should be reduced to “As Low As Reasonably Achievable”. We keep the dose as low as reasonably possible and only take dental x-rays on our regular patients about every two years. Children get x-rays at even longer intervals (3-5 years) in our clinic.



HOW HIGH IS THE RADIATION IN A DENTAL X-RAY?



The average amount of radiation in a standard set of dental x-rays (4 bitewings) is about .005 millisieverts. According to the American College of Radiology that is about half the amount of radiation you get in a normal day from the sun or 1/8 the radiation of an airplane flight from Los Angeles to New York City.



IF X-RAYS ARE SAFE, WHY DO I HAVE TO WEAR A LEAD APRON AND WHY DOES THE ASSISTANT LEAVE THE ROOM?



Dr. Ho and his staff follow the ALARA principal , to keep the x-ray dose as low as reasonably possible. Even though the dose is very low, we take all measures to reduce x-ray exposure to your body even further with an apron.



– DR. ANDREW HO (BSC, DDS)

Get in touch with your North Vancouver dentist Dr. Andrew Ho