It is no longer recommended that children or adults wear lead shields when getting dental x-rays.  In the 1950s, shielding became standard practice for medical imaging based on the information and equipment available at the time.  Today, the scientific community has conducted significantly more research regarding radiation, and advances in medical and dental imaging have greatly reduced the amount of radiation patients are exposed to when x-rays are taken.

It has been shown that lead shielding does not offer any advantages from a safety perspective. In fact, it often interferes with imaging and obscures the x-ray leading to more re-takes which results in more exposure to radiation.  Advances in radiation technology have also reduced the amount of scatter and dosage that patients receive during treatment.

In taking dental x-rays our office is committed to the ALARA Principal (“As Low As Reasonably Achievable”).  Most importantly, we prescribe dental x-rays on an individualized basis taking into account a patient’s unique caries risk, based on guidelines recommended by the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. We also use rectangular collimation to reduce the amount of radiation exposure by restricting the x-ray beam and its scatter.

At Cipes Pediatric Dentistry, we are committed to providing the safest and highest level of care to all of our patients and their families.  We’re happy to answer any questions you may have concerning these new recommendations.  To read more, visit this ADA article.