Dental X- Rays

[Acylum]

Just wondering how often posters on here get their teeth x- rayed. My dentist, who is fairly young, insists I get them every year. (Actually wants them every 6 months) I Googled , and it looks like I could get by with every 36 months based on my history- no cavities for 17 years now, no other problems or complaints. Full disclosure, my dental insurance pays for one set/ year, and I’m not overly concerned about the radiation. But if I don’t really need them, why risk the exposure?

 

[KennyPratt42]

There's no need to get them more than every 2 to 3 years unless you have some type of issue.

 

[3TrueFans]

I think it’s every other check up so once a year, but really it’s just whenever they tell me it’s time.

 

[ackatch]

Probably varies - but I want to say the rule of thumb I've always been told was once every 2 years, or maybe it is once a year now that I think more about it. Every check-up seems to be extreme overkill.

 

[CoachHines3]

my dentist puts me asleep and then i wake up and im sore

 

[BCClone]

my dentist puts me asleep and then i wake up and im sore

Laying on your tummy?

 

[BCClone]

Every year. I think that is when Insurance will pay so they make sure to collect that.

 

[CloneLawman]

my dentist puts me asleep and then i wake up and im sore

But how does your mouth feel when you wake up?

 

[JP4CY]

Once a year for me.

 

[KennyPratt42]

Yearly x-rays are a profit center for dentists, if you want electromagnetic radiation directed towards your head so that your dentist makes more money through your insurance have at it.

 

[chuckd4735]

Laying on your tummy?

 

[Clonehomer]

Yearly x-rays are a profit center for dentists, if you want electromagnetic radiation directed towards your head so that your dentist makes more money through your insurance have at it.

I’m much less worried about the radiation now when the hygienist is holding the little hand held gun up against my jaw. Back when they had to put that heavy cover over your chest and the hygienist had to leave the room, that was probably a bit worse for you.

 

[Cyched]

my dentist puts me asleep and then i wake up and im sore

Location of said soreness?

 

[Acylum]

my dentist puts me asleep and then i wake up and im sore

He told me he doesn’t have to put your mom under though.

 

[KennyPratt42]

I’m much less worried about the radiation now when the hygienist is holding the little hand held gun up against my jaw. Back when they had to put that heavy cover over your chest and the hygienist had to leave the room, that was probably a bit worse for you.

Digital x-rays are definitely safer than the old film x-rays. I’ve read it’s about an 80% reduction in radiation. My dentist still puts the vest on the patient even though it’s the automated digital x-ray that moves around your head.

 

[IcSyU]

The radiation is something like 2% of the radiation compared to what old x-rays were.

But yes....dentists are going to maximize what they can collect from insurance because things like say....Medicaid reimbursement....are almost never adjusted.

 

[Clonehomer]

Digital x-rays are definitely safer than the old film x-rays. I’ve read it’s about an 80% reduction in radiation. My dentist still puts the vest on the patient even though it’s the automated digital x-ray that moves around your head.

Oh. This time they had a new one that they do right in the normal chair. It was 4 individual X-rays that they had the gun right up against my jaw rather than the rotating scanner that looks like a TSA check for your head.

 

[CoachHines3]

Yearly x-rays are a profit center for dentists, if you want electromagnetic radiation directed towards your head so that your dentist makes more money through your insurance have at it.

Yeah, that 1 time of year where i get a dentist xray on each side of my mouth, i always glow when i walk out. i goto the bathroom the next day and i pee green ooze

 

[Acylum]

The radiation is something like 2% of the radiation compared to what old x-rays were.

But yes....dentists are going to maximize what they can collect from insurance because things like say....Medicaid reimbursement....are almost never adjusted.

I think this is exactly what’s going on with my guy. And as somebody pointed out, I’m a lot less concerned now that the hygienist doesn’t leave the room, you don’t have to wear the 80# lead shield, and you don’t hear the creepy hum.

 

[CYdTracked]

I haven't been to a dentist in over 20 years and I'm at that point I'm almost scared to find out what work they want to do if I were to go to one. No toothaches, pains, or concerns but the odds are that I likely have something being that far removed from my last check up. Not sure if I will cave and eventually just go one of these days or wait till I have an issue I can't ignore.