Radiation from dental x-rays using cone-beam CT scans

It is interesting that the New York Times newspaper published a front page article today about the use of cone-beam CT scanners that produce 3-D images of teeth.  The concern is about the amount of radiation produced by these machines versus the actual diagnostic benefit for teeth braces or dental implants.  This Saturday is the beginning of the annual Greater NY Dental Meeting at the Javits Center which is the biggest dental convention in the world as ranked by attendance.

The article suggests patient caution when visiting an Oral Surgeon or Orthodontist who offer this type of CT scan x-ray and it also suggests patients avoid a dental office that still uses slow D-speed film for regular dental x-rays.  It appears the authors of the article laid out a fair discussion of the potential health risk from excessive dental radiation while exposing an unflattering light on the cone-beam manufacturers.  The article appears to tackle the promotion of the i-CAT from Imaging Sciences International, a division of Danaher Corporation.

The Center for Special Dentistry recommends this Times article to our readers.

Categorised in: Dr. Dorfman Says

This post was written by Dr. Jeffrey Dorfman