Originally Posted by Mr. Laz (Post 9712223)

nah ... not worth the trouble.

I'll just find another dentist

Originally Posted by Guru (Post 9712222)

Do you not have insurance or something? There is no reason to not get the xrays. That is how they determine that everything is healthy.

Originally Posted by BeeHo (Post 9712046)

whuddup. dental student here (albeit just a decent one):

minimum x-rays taken are bitewings which show me the crown and broad contacts between the posterior teeth where decay is often found beneath. looking just inside the mouth can be very difficult. also, the bitewings shows me the extent of the decay.


drchristophermorris.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bitewing.jpg


if you have very very good oral hygiene, then you can definitely argue pushing the interval of x-rays to 18 months (even up to years, though not likely).

if you have lots of crowns and composite (tooth colored) and amalgam (silver) fillings, then bitewings once a year is fine. if there's decay underneath the crowns, they may take full mouth x-rays.

if you have very poor oral oral hygiene, then i would get the bitewings once a year. then tell you to fkn brush and floss.

in regards to radiation exposure: dental radiation is a fraction compared to extensive exposure given in hospitals. the shape and length of the x-ray collimator only allows parallel rays to exit and focus on the area where the dentist wants it. fyi: rectangular collimators expose less than circular collimators.

I would be more worried about thyroid cancer than a tumor in the brain ,but there should be a throat shield placed on top of the lead vest. I'm aware there are dental offices that don't do this.

Originally Posted by Rain Man (Post 9712226)

Question: when I get x-rays, why is the little thing in my mouth always so large that the corners bite into the roof of my mouth?

Originally Posted by DaFace (Post 9712224)

Be sure to ask if they'll accept you as a patient without xrays. Chances are, they won't.

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo (Post 9711793)

I wouldn't want to get radiation X ray every year on my mouth. Every year? **** that. Good way get yourself cancer. Doctors don't like giving patients x rays unless they think its a must.


If a dentist can't look in your mouth with a mirror and see if you actually need an X Ray then America needs better dentist.

You should not be exposed to X ray in your mouth every year. Am pretty sure you are putting yourself at risk if you are. I'm not a doctor or dentist so I could be wrong?

Originally Posted by bevischief (Post 9712254)

I haven't been to one of those butchers since I left the Air Force. Going on about 13 years.

Originally Posted by Stewie (Post 9712245)

I find it funny that people complain about a dentist bill. For the most part it's pretty cheap. Not doing regular checkups, including x-rays, lead to two things. It's either a very expensive procedure or fewer teeth.

As I was told long ago, "If you ignore your teeth they'll go away."

Originally Posted by Guru (Post 9712283)

thats not always true. I had a cavity that couldn't be seen by xrays and the dentist didn't really try to determin the problem until my last visit even though I complained about it at my visit 6 months ago. Turned out that cavity was huge and I had to get a major filling.

Then, the filling wasn't taking so I had to go back in this past week for a better filling and it hurt like hell. I'm fine now but really pissed I have to pay for the same procedure twice when they should have done the better filling the first time.

Actually considering changing dentists for the first time since 1995 because of it.

Originally Posted by Stewie (Post 9712297)

If your dentist can't find a huge cavity and then screws up the procedure the first time around I'd find a new dentist, too.

It doesn't mean to quit going to any dentist, ever. Just find a good one.