This comes from outer space, radioactive materials in the earth, and small amounts of radioactive material in most foods we consume. receives about 360 mrem every year from background sources. The National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP) says that the average resident of the U.S. A typical dental x-ray image exposes you to only about 2 or 3 mrem. (It takes 1000 mrem to equal one rem.)Īdvances in x-ray equipment, especially film technology, allow your dentist to get a good x-ray image using much less radiation than was previously required.

A rem is a large unit, much like a mile is a large unit of length, so we usually use a millirem (mrem) instead, much as you would measure in inches instead of miles for most purposes. Both can make an image on photographic film, so both types of energy are used to make pictures light makes photographs of the “outside” of objects, x-rays make pictures of the “inside” of objects, including your body.Ī unit called a “rem” is used to measure radiation. In fact, the only difference between light and x-rays is that light doesn’t have enough energy to go through your body and x-rays do. X-rays are energy in the form of waves, identical to visible light. Just how much radiation do you get from a dental x-ray and how harmful is it? First, let’s talk about what an x-ray is. But do you know that there are many beneficial uses of radiation? One type of radiation, x-rays, are used extensively in the medical and dental professions to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions. We associate it with bombs, cancer, and all manner of other bad things.

Just the mention of the word “radiation” conjures up an unpleasant image for most people. How Much Radiation Do You Get From Dental X-Rays? While digital x-rays do emit a very small amount of radiation, it is clear that the benefits greatly outweigh any minimal risks. While cancer and tumors of the jaw are rare, the prognosis is always better the earlier you treat these areas. Additionally, x-rays allow the dentist to examine the mandible and maxilla for any unusual growths or abnormalities.

Routine films allow us to diagnose small cavities and stop them before they become bigger and more costly problems. Once these areas have become visible in the mouth, typically the tooth may already be to the point where it needs a crown, root canal, or may even need to be extracted. X-rays allow the dentist to see small cavities that are developing in between the teeth. Why are x-rays needed? During a standard exam, the dentist is able to examine only visible surfaces of the teeth and soft tissue. That means while a standard x-ray gives off 0.5 mrem, a digital x-ray can give off as little as 0.1 mrem. The amount of radiation received from a digital x-ray can decrease up to another 80%.

In addition, our office uses modern digital x-rays. The amount of radiation (mrem) that a patient receives during dental x-rays is very small when compared to other sources of radiation in everyday life. « Back to patients info How Much Radiation Do You Get From Dental X-Rays?Īccording to the American Nuclear Society, this is how much radiation you expect from common activities:Ħ20 mrem/year = the average level of radiation per person in the USĥ0000 mrem/year = the safe allowable dose for people that are exposed to radiation in their wokħ mrem/year = from living in a brick houseĢ mrem/year = from sleeping next to someone elseģ6 mrem/year = from smoking one pack of cigarettes a dayĦ3 mrem/year = living in the Colorado Plateau area

Dental x ray radiation dose chart