1. “I’ve heard X-rays aren’t good for me. Why do I (or my kids) need them?” This is an important question many of our new patients ask. As many people are aware, undergoing unnecessary dental treatments can harm your health. At each visit, we ensure that we do everything necessary for your health, without overdoing it.
We take a great deal of care in educating our patients. We have compiled important information about X-rays so you can have a balanced perspective based on our dentistry's holistic and “recommended standard of care” aspects.
2. My Holistic Dentist said I don’t need X-rays. It is misleading to believe dentists are more holistic if they don’t require X-rays. Holistic is very much about treating the whole person. We believe in truly holistic dentistry, which combines the health of the entire body/person and the highest standards of care and technology. Research shows that the risks of not taking X-rays far outweigh the risks associated with the low-level radiation dose produced by our digital X-rays. You can be assured that we won’t cross the line of trying to be so holistic that we sacrifice your and your kids' long-term health. We strive to be the gold standard where holistic meets rigorously tested science, for the best of both worlds. When we use X-rays, we hope to find a cavity when it is small, rather than much larger. Finding them sooner means the filling will be smaller and more of the natural tooth will be preserved. We see it as more holistic to follow the standard of care and find cavities while they are small.
3. X-rays aren’t good for me. The concern with X-rays is the radiation; this is why we are mindful about following the principle of ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) for X-ray radiographs. Our advanced digital X-ray emits ½ the amount of radiation as traditional film X-rays. A new patient bitewing series is so low in radiation that it’s only half the radiation you receive from being on a flight from New York to LA. Read more about X-rays and radiation here
4. Why do I (or my kids) need X-rays? I’d like to skip them. We understand your concern about the radiation. We don’t want anyone getting more X-rays or radiation than required, especially kids. You will need a basic set of X-rays when you become a new patient. Why? Even if teeth appear amazing on the surface, there can be hidden problems beneath the gum line, which could lead to serious health issues. This is why the American Dental Association (ADA) requires dentists to perform X-rays on each new patient as their “standard of care.”
5. What is the ADA “Standard Of Care?” Through comprehensive analysis, the ADA sets out baseline standards for dentists to follow. Their research outlines the practices that are vital for oral health and the prevention of serious dental problems. Any dentist who doesn’t require X-rays for patients seven years or older is practicing outside the baseline standards of care set by the ADA. X-rays aren’t just for cavities. Anyone, including kids and adults, can have hidden disturbances that can seriously affect their teeth, potentially leading to the loss of a normally healthy tooth. Additionally, X-rays can detect abnormal growths and tumors, which may help prevent serious health problems.
Please call 303-802-4313 to discuss signing up as a new patient. We look forward to seeing you.