X-ray in the mouth only when absolutely necessary

X-ray treatments are not always useful
Dentists often perform X-ray examinations in the mouth to make a clear diagnosis. However, from the point of view of the expert Prof. Dietmar Oesterreich, the use of the imaging technique is not always necessary and should therefore only be used in justified cases. Therefore, it is even more important to check on pregnancy if there is no other diagnostic procedure, such as Ultrasound can be avoided. For just in the first three months, the unborn child is extremely sensitive to radiation and can suffer damage from the radiation.

X-ray Ordinance requires detailed examination of the case
To treat diseases such as To reliably diagnose tooth decay in the interdental spaces, X-rays are often taken before treatment. However, the widespread procedure is not absolutely necessary for every patient, but "it always depends on the individual case," emphasizes Prof. Dietmar Oesterreich in an interview with the news agency "dpa"..

X-rays at the dentist lead to an increased risk of cancer and should therefore be as rare as possible. (Image: Rido / fotolia.com)

There are strict legal guidelines that dentists must adhere to in the context of X-ray diagnostics, according to the Vice President of the Federal Dental Association. Accordingly, the so-called "justifying indication", which requires the finding that the health benefits of the application outweigh the risk of radiation, applies. According to §23 (1) of the X-ray Ordinance (RöV), "other procedures with comparable health benefits that are associated with no or less radiation exposure [.] Must be taken into account in the consideration".

Procedure for tooth decay and periodontosis the gold standard
"In general, the motto is: no more than absolutely necessary," explains Austria. In the case of caries and periodontitis, X-ray examinations are often "the gold standard", since it is possible in this way to detect exactly whether, for example, also the interdental spaces are affected. Externally, however, such teeth often appear completely intact and even aids such as magnifying glasses or transillumination would not always be sufficient here according to the experts. Even those who have an increased risk of caries or root-treated teeth, must be checked in part regularly using the X-ray machine.

Likewise, the process would often be required to e.g. Inflammation at the apex, abnormal changes in the jawbone or inflammatory processes on dead teeth. In addition, according to the German Society of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (DGZMK) X-rays are necessary for the planning of dental implants or other dental prostheses. Before being x-rayed, however, the dentist must carefully educate the patient and explain the necessity of the examination, emphasizes Austria. At the same time, the patient himself can ask questions critically and obtain information through questions such as "What do you expect from admission?".

Patients can also refuse examination
Of course, X-ray treatments could also be rejected, informs Prof. Dietmar Oesterreich. But in this case, the dentist would also clarify the possible negative consequences for the untreated tooth. Even though dentistry is a comparatively small dose of radiation, according to the expert, X-rays are "no triviality". Each case must be examined carefully, which is particularly true in pregnancy. Because the radiation can lead to massive damage especially in the early pregnancy of the unborn child. "If possible, you do without it completely or especially in the first three months," said the doctor.

Radiation dose varies depending on the type of recording
The radiation dose can also be very different depending on the type of recording. According to the DGZMK, a small dental X-ray image has a dose of about 5 microsievert (μSv), which corresponds to about 400% of the natural annual exposure to radiation from space or from the ground (radon gas). A three-dimensional dental digital volume tomography (DVT), however, with 100μSv already reaches the 21st part of the natural radiation exposure in the year. In a return flight from Germany to Brazil one is exposed to a similar radiation exposure of about 100μSv, said the DGZMK.

A few years ago, US researchers had reported a significantly increased risk of benign brain tumors through X-rays at the dentist. Thus, a study showed that patients who were X-rayed at least once a year, the dentist had a threefold higher risk of a special benign brain tumor (meningioma).