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07 November 2009

Answer to Question #3542 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Effects — Low-Dose Effects

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Due to a recent dental emergency, I've had to have three full sets of dental x rays in one week by different dentists. After the third set I started to feel dizzy, but not until about an hour afterward. What can I do? Is it possible that I've been overexposed? I know dental x rays are probably the lowest radiation of all x rays, but how much is too much?

The radiation dose to a patient from a full set of dental radiographs is quite small, equivalent to what each American receives from natural environmental (background) radiation in a few days. There is no known mechanism for doses of this magnitude to produce the symptoms you describe. In fact, there is no proof that these dental doses produce any ill effects whatsoever. There is even some suggestion that these doses may be beneficial.

I wonder why each of the three dentists required new radiographs. You should have been able to obtain recent films from your previous dentist(s).

Conclusion: The only adverse factor from your three sets of dental radiographs is the cost.

S. Julian Gibbs, DDS, PhD

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