1. Radiation exposure is extremely low during dental radiographs
Radiation exposure is extremely low during dental radiographs. Patients and their unborn children are generally at higher risk from the oral disease affecting the pregnancy than they are from radiation exposure.
According to the American Dental Association (1), the radiation you receive from oral X-rays are scant and even less for the fetus. Using a millisievert (mSv) scale to measure doses, you could expect from Bitewing X-rays. Compare this to Chest x-ray and to a person who lives in Denver CO with a background radiation rate of (per year).
Risks
Radiation exposure to the fetus from dental x-rays is so low that it cannot be measured by conventional techniques
Procedures
X-ray only as necessary to make diagnosis (i.e. root canal therapy, trauma, caries)
Proper radiographic techniques can minimize radiation exposure..
Utilizing lead apron shielding (abdominal and thyroid)
Avoiding retakes when possible
Use a long cone to focus radiation only on mouth
New digital Xrays expose patients to 80% less radiation
References
Oral Health Care During Pregnancy and Through the Life Span. Committee Opinion No 569. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol. 2013;122:
Oral Health Care During Pregnancy Expert Workgroup Oral Health Care During Pregnancy: A National Consensus Statement—Summary of an Expert Workgroup Meeting. Washington, DC: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center.
Oral Health Care During Pregnancy and Early Childhood Practice Guidelines. New York Public Health Department
Oral Health During Pregnancy and Early Childhood: Evidence Guidelines for Health Professionals. California Dental Association Foundation
Abbott P. Are dental radiographs safe? Aust Dent J. 2000; 45:
CDC Radiation and Pregnancy Fact Sheet