Thank you for visiting Brushandsmile.com. Your browser does not appear to meet the requirements of the site.

     To view the site properly, you must have Flash Player 8 installed and Javascript enabled.

     To download the latest version of Flash Player free, please visit www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer.

Below are answers to some common questions about X-rays. We would be happy to answer any further questions or address any other concerns you have about X-rays. Are X-rays safe? Some patients have concerns about the safety of X-rays, as well as the need for them in the dental office. Although X-rays and radiation sound scary, the amount of radiation used to expose dental X-rays is very small. In fact, you may get more radiation from 30 minutes of watching a color TV than from four bitewing X-rays. Bitewing X-rays are those that show crowns of several upper and lower teeth at once. We often refrain from ordering X-rays if we can refer to current pictures from other dentists. We may take X-rays when necessary, while whole mouth X-rays are generally taken once every four years. What are X-rays used for? Dentists rely on X-rays to reveal cavities between teeth, infections in the bone, abscesses, cysts, abnormalities, impacted wisdom teeth, and even some types of tumors. By taking them periodically, we can detect adverse situations early before they become big problems. How do you protect patients during the X-rays? We minimize radiation by using lead aprons and focusing the beam on only the area needing to be examined. The apron is draped over your shoulders and protects you from your neck to mid-thigh. We are also particularly careful to protect the reproductive organs when taking dental films. I've heard that X-rays will be harmful if I am pregnant. Is this true? Embryonic tissues are also sensitive to X-radiation. If you are in the first trimester of pregnancy (the first three months) or think you may be pregnant, please tell us. We generally avoid taking X-rays during this time, unless you have a specific dental emergency. Once you are past the first trimester, if there is reason for taking X-rays, we will take every precaution to protect you and your unborn baby from harmful radiation.