The average person in the US is exposed to about 360 mrem per year just from background sources. By this measure, it would take approximately 10 full series of dental radiographs to equal the background radiation that the average citizen is exposed to on a yearly basis. Note that we take a new full series every three to five years on average.

The Washington State Department of Health has set the maximum safe occupational whole body radiation exposure to 5000 mrem per year. By this reckoning, it would take over 138 full mouth series of dental x-rays to equal one-year’s maximum safe radiation level. It would take 1,250 panorex films to get to this limit.

Background radiation comes from outer space, the earth, natural materials (including natural foods), and even other people. For example, flying cross-country exposes a person to about 5 mrem over and above the normal radiation he receives from outer space while simply walking outdoors for the same length of time. Cooking with natural gas exposes us to about an additional 10 mrem per year because of the naturally occurring radon gas the cooking gas contains. Living in a brick building adds an additional 10 mrem per year over and above the radiation you would receive from living in a wooden structure. Simply sleeping next to another person exposes each bed partner to an extra 2 mrem per year.

The second, newer measure of radiation, is the millisievert (mSV) which is a unit of measure that allows for a more meaningful comparison between radiation sources that expose the entire body (such as natural background radiation) and those that only expose a portion of the body (such as dental and medical radiographs). The table below is borrowed from the website of the American Dental Association and is quite helpful in comparing the amount of radiation received from dental x-rays to other medical and natural sources.

As you can see, by this more realistic measure, it would take 20 full series of x rays to equal the amount of radiation the average citizen picks up from background sources each year:

Source: Adapted from Frederiksen NL. X-Rays: What is the Risk? Texas Dental Journal. 1995;112(2):68-72.

*A millisievert (mSV) is a unit of measure that allows for some comparison between radiation sources that expose the entire body (such as natural background radiation) and those that only expose a portion of the body (such as radiographs).;

We’re now in the digital age! The statistics presented below apply to the 95% of dentist using the old film based radiographs. As of June 2000, our office upgraded to the more advanced digital radiograph. Known as digital radiography, the technique utilizes digital sensors instead of film.

Digital radiography offers the following benefits for our patients:

A 95% reduction in radiation vs. the outdated dental systems of the past. Digital radiographs are always accessible. There is no fear of losing or misplacing an x-ray that is stored in the computer.

Digital radiographs are more diagnostic. Software enhancements can improve Dr. Gibbs ability to diagnose by: improving contrast, Reveler enhancements, improving the lightness/darkness of the x-ray, and magnifying the image.

Improves communication with specialists. Dr. Gibbs can instantly send images directly to specialists for consultation.

Dr. Gibbs serves the communities of Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Lombard, Carol Stream, Naperville, and Lisle. Addison, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, Glendale Heights, West Chicago, Bloomingdale, Schaumberg, Wood Dale, Westmont, Winfield, Villa Park, and the Chicago area. See the website at FearlessDentalCare.com