• How often should I get dental x-rays?

      11/04/2014
      Austin Frakt

    My dentist offered me bitewing x-rays yesterday. From the chair, I asked Twitter whether I needed them.

    I received two, informative replies. First, oral surgeon Sarah Davies, DDS, MD suggested annual bitewings and “maybe” panoramic x-rays every five years. Second, NYU Associate Professor Heather Gold pointed me to these ADA/FDA recommendations. If I’m reading them correctly (and this is based on just a quick look), I believe they recommend posterior bitewing x-rays on 1.5-3 year intervals.

    Anyone with knowledge or references have anything else to say on this matter? Comments open for one week from date of posting.

    P.S./pro tip: Future Austin or you can pull this post up for reference the next time the dentist offers x-rays. That’s why I’m posting this.

    P.P.S.: More here, the upshot to which is don’t get bitewing x-rays annually.

    @afrakt

     
      Medicine
      dental care, x-ray
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