Dental Radiography
Dental Radiography is used in the Practice to help the dentists diagnose various conditions and to help them provide better quality care. The Practice uses the fastest films available (this means that the patient is exposed to the minimum amount of radiation possible) and is currently considering a change to digital radiography (aided by computer) to further reduce the dose. The doses used in dentistry are very small. Living in Aberdeen, you are exposed to twenty small dental radiographs from background radiation from the granite! Radiographs are only taken if clinically necessary to avoid unnecessary exposure. The Practice has a DPT machine which shows the whole anatomy of the jaws and adjacent structures, allowing the dentist to diagnose any bone disease, buried teeth (e.g. wisdom teeth,) gum problems, dental decay and problems associated with the roots of the teeth (e.g. abscesses.) If the dentist wishes to examine a smaller area, perhaps with greater detail, the small radiographs are used which need a lower dose of radiation to operate them. This may be if more subtle conditions are being examined e.g. dental decay or problems with the roots of the teeth. Your permission will always be sought prior to any investigation or treatment and the reason for it explained.
