dentist says yearly x-rays is "policy"

[bendted]

My dentists says that there is no way to get out of yearly X-rays at the annual cleaning appointment (actually, he siad it should be bi-annually if not 3X!). He says it's policy. I called around and that seems to be the case. I know an x-ray has the potential to catch something, but this smells like a money grab to me. I don't want needless exposure to X-rays, which is why I brought up the issue. I also spoke to the radiation tech and she rattled off a statistic that with the new state-of-the-art digital system (which they have), it's not a worry. I'm in my early 50s, with no dental problems. I live in the U.S.

 

[Corny]

annual or bi-annual cleaning is the norm .. depending on how well you maintain your teeth. sometimes it's not your fault at all, some person's teeth need the cleaning more often.

i don't know about the x-rays .. my dentist regularly did x-rays until i had my wisdom teeth. after that just once more ..

 

[pat grimshaw]

…sometimes it's not your fault at all…..

whose fault could it be?

 

[Corny]

if you have very narrow gaps between the teeth for example even regular flossing doesn't catch everything and calculus still can build up ..

 

[bankside]

Also the mineral content and pH of some people's saliva is different.

My dentist pointed out an inverse relationship between cavity formation and calculus/gum recession. Often if people have more of one, they have less of the other.

 

[loperamide]

You, as a patient, have the right to refuse any part of the treatment. I get bitewings (the standard dental x-ray) annually. When I worked in a nuclear power station and had to keep track of every little controlled exposure I opted out of them. It is your right to tell your dentist no if you do not want films taken at that cleaning.

 

[KaraBulut]

Annual dental xrays have become a standard practice. But there's no long term studies about whether they improve outcomes or what the long term effects of the radiation exposure will be.

I refuse them unless there's something that specifically justifies them.

You have the right to refuse any treatment. If he pressures you, then change dentists.