Parents are naturally concerned about radiation when we do radiographs, or X-rays in the dental office. The good news is that digital radiography uses special sensors that have greatly reduced the radiation required to see your child’s teeth properly.

You get more radiation from your daily life than from dental X-rays

A bit of trivia: a digital dental radiograph provides about .005 mSv (millisievert, the measurement for radiation) of radiation. Day to day, you and your kids are exposed to .010 of radiation!

Don’t worry, because there is not a whole lot we can do to reduce or avoid this radiation. But, where is this radiation coming from?

  • From the sun in the great outdoors
  • From the air (some radon gas is out there, coming from the earth)
  • From cell phones, computers and TVs
  • From food (even organic food– remember, it came from earth and was nourished by the sun)
  • From hugging people! We carry a bit of radiation and we pass that on to each other!

The benefits of digital X-rays

Pediatric dentists rely a lot on X-rays to see and maintain the health of your child’s teeth. Radiographs are useful to us in many ways:

Intraoral x-rays (bitewing, periapical) help pediatric dentistry in:

  • Finding cavities between teeth and under existing fillings
  • Finding problematic, impacted teeth (already erupted or only emerging)
  • Looking at the roots of the teeth and the bones around the teeth (bone infections)
  • Checking for gum disease, abscesses or cysts

Extra-oral x-rays–Panoramic (Panorex), Multi-slice computed tomography (MCT), Cephalometric projections (side view radiographs), sialography, and cone beam tomography (CBCT)– help dentists in:

  • Checking the status of developing teeth, jaws, and jaw joints (the TMJ, temporomandibular joints)
  • Understanding relationships between facial bone structures and how to use growth modification to correct malocclusion related to the skeletal structure, when needed
  • Pinpointing the location of teeth when they erupt into abnormal places

Early detection and treatment of dental, periodontal issues and malocclusion saves you and your child time, expense and discomfort. Digital x-rays and digital impressions play a huge part in childhood dental and orthodontic care.

Easy on the eyes and the environment

Unlike the old film version of x-rays, digital X-ray images are easily sharpened, colorized and enhanced for a precise diagnosis. There is no chemical processing needed to develop the films and no x-ray film or lead goes into the trash bin anymore. Your results can also be securely sent to insurance and other dental specialists involved in caring for the patient in an instant without any paper or postage usage. Lastly, you and your child’s records are stored on a secure server off site so they are protected from loss due to a disaster as well.

About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates

Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Premier Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. The ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options.  We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.

39400 Garfield Rd., Suite 200
Clinton Township, MI
48038
US
Phone: 586-286-0700
Fax: 586-286-5932