Exposure to Radiation from Digital Dental X-Rays: Should you be concerned?

Dental X-rays are generally a necessary prescribed procedure by your dentist yearly.

Have you ever questioned, why this is necessary yearly because of the exposure to radiation? or…

Have you ever refused dental x-rays because you were concerned about the radiation exposure?

Today, most dental offices have Digital Dental X-rays. Digital Dental X-rays benefit patients because the exposure to radiation has decreased greatly, preventing a large amount of exposure.

When going in for a dental check up it is important to remember that your dentist need X-rays to see many diseases of the mouth that cannot be seen during your visual examination. Decay in between your teeth & below fillings, damage to the bone from tooth infections, bone loss due to periodontal disease, developmental defects, oral tumors, effects of trauma or force, and un-erupted teeth are all seen with dental x-rays. If you refuse this process you are at risk to not identify oral diseases at an early stage which can save you time and money.

According to the American Dental Association (1), the radiation you receive is minimal. You could expect 0.038 (msv) from Bitewing X-rays, and 0.150 (msv) from a full mouth X-ray. When reviewing the numbers below, you can compare digital dental x-rays to other types of X-rays:

Lower Gastrointestinal Tract – 4.060
Chest x-ray – .080
Radiation from space in Denver Co. – 0.510 (per year)
Avg. natural radiation in the US (per year) – 3.00

WOW! The amount of radiation exposure you receive from dental x-rays is minimal compared to the MAJOR Dental problems you can encounter if your dentist cannot identify a disease in your mouth. Those numbers are measured from traditional dental x-rays. Digital Dental X-rays can be up to 80% less than even the traditional dental x-ray. Other reasons why our dentists @ Royal Oaks Dentistry use Digital Dental X-Rays are:

• Your Dentist can view your x-rays immediately.
• Your dentist can enlarge or Zoom into your x-ray. Something this is actually measured in millimeters is exposed in inches.
• Digital Dental X-rays can be corrected if needed with out taking an additional x-ray.
• Sharing your x-ray is simplified by transmitting them electronically! Your dental Insurance claim will be paid faster.
• Digital Dental X-rays are Environmentally friendly!!! Go Green!
• An estimated 80% less radiation exposure is possible.

Next time you go to the dentist consider the HUGE Dental problems you could encounter for such a small amount of radiation. Not only do digital dental x-rays produce less radiation, dental professionals have created tools and techniques that also eliminate radiation exposure.

Reserve an appointment today at Royal Oaks Dentistry if you would like to have the option of utilizing Digital Dental X-Rays at your next routine dental check up!

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Why Dr. Dath Collins became a dentist.

Dr. Dath Collins- 2013 AGD New Dentist of the year:

Hi, my name is Dr. Dath Collins and I’d love to be your dentist. I started here at Royal Oaks Dentistry when I was about 17 and my father asked for some help after school, spring break, during the summers and it was after about a year of working here that I decided that I wanted to be a dentist. There are so many things about dentistry that I find enjoyable from working with my hands to creating smiles, the artistic focus and I love getting to meet new people.

Why Dr. Ron Collins chose to practice dentistry in West Houston.

Dr Ron Collins, 2010 AGD Dentist of the Year-

Hello, my name is Ron Collins and I am a general dentist and native Texan. Well, when I first got out of dental school, prior to that, actually my senior year in Dental School, I was looking all over town for opportunities for where to practice. I knew that at some point I wanted to practice on the West Side because that’s where I raised my family in Houston.  My first office was not here, it was located near South Gessner and it was a rental structure. I was there for about 6 years.  During that time I found this piece of land which I was able to begin purchasing and ultimately after it was paid for I was able to construct the building which we built here and have enjoyed practicing here for the full 37 years.

About Royal Oaks Dentistry- Houston, Texas (Dr. Dath Collins)

Hi, my name is Dr. Dath Collins and I’d love to be your dentist. I practice dentistry in West Houston.  We’ve been at this location for 38 years.  I practice with my father Dr Ron Collins.  He built this office about 38 years ago and I’ve been in practice here with him for the last 8 years.   We practice general dentistry which means we see all kinds of people from kids that are 1 years old all the way up to my oldest patient that I’ve seen is 99 years old and we have several families where we’ve seen 4 generations.

About Royal Oaks Dentistry- Houston, Texas (Dr Ron Collins)

Hello, my name is Dr Ron Collins and I’m a general dentist and native Texan. Our practice is located in West Houston off Westpark Tollway, and situated between Wilcrest and Kirkwood just adjacent to Royal Oaks Country Club. I’ve been in this building almost 37 years and we’ve maintained a practice that covers pretty much all the dental needs a patient may have.

How often & how to brush you child’s teeth!

 

 

“Hello, My name is Dr. Dath Collins and I would love to be your dentist. Often times I get questions from my patients in regards to their young children and how often and how to brush their teeth.; When can they do it on their own?”

“So, I have shot this little short video of  my son and myself and what we do when we get out of the bath tube and brush his teeth. The rule of thumb is, that you need to come behind them and help them with the tooth brushing and flossing, until they can really right for themselves. So lets just watch Harrison and I get his teeth brushed. ”

“Alright,  her we go alright we are going to get those sugar bugs tonight. Alright and we are going to use this, this is your favorite transformers tooth brush. We are going to get to brushing first and then we are going to get those flossers.”

“All of those flossers”, Harrison says.

Dr. Collins shows Harrison his children’s toothpaste and asks, “Do you like this Strawberry Flavor? Is that yummy?”

Harrison says, “Yeah!”

Dr. Collins,”Alright lets put a little bit on here.”

Harrison gets his tooth brush a” little bit wet” and shows his dad how well he can brush his teeth.

Dr. Collins praises him and tells him to get the sugar bugs! Then he tells him, “Alright Daddy’s Turn”.  He chases the sugar bugs. Brushing all over Harrison’s teeth and mouth.

Harrison reminds him once he is done that there is one more sugar bug in his mouth, “There is one right there”, and points to his front teeth.

They rinse off his tooth brush and then proceed to grab the flossers.

Harrison asks,” If he can see the sugar bugs?” when he rinses his mouth.

“Now we are going to use these flossers”, Dr. Collins says. He is using the flossing picks because they are easy to use for children.

“You like these? , Dr. Collins asks Harrison. ” We like these because these are eeeeasy.”

“There so good!” Harrison says as he grabs the floss pick and starts flossing.

“Show me how to do that. Ok, Good Job, Get those Sugar Bugs. We get those sugar bugs that hide in between the teeth. OK, daddy’s turn.” Dr Collins says as he watches Harrison floss and then helps him floss.

Harrison insists on getting the side teeth as well before Dr. Collins takes over, “I gotta get these side ones.”

“OK. Get the side ones and then it is daddy’s turn.” Dr. Collins says.

“I got them.” Harrison says.

“Get the back ones. This is great for cleaning in between the teeth. Excellent. Right in the front there…” Dr. Collins continues chase the sugar bugs, noticing tight contacts in between the teeth. This is an area that needs to be cleaned especially with floss because the tooth brush cannot clean so well there.

Dr. Collins asks, “How do they feel?”

Harrision says, “Good!”

“Nice and clean. Can I get a thumbs up? ” Dr. Collins says.

They both give a thumbs up at the end with BIG SMILES!

Dr. Ron Collins and Dr. Dath Collins are father and son. They practice at their family dental practice in Houston, TX  called Royal Oaks Dentistry. Visit their website to learn more about there practice and if you need a new dental home. http://royaloaksdentistry.com/

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