Yearly X rays at the dental office
- Thread starter whizbyu
- Start date
Those are two some most abused practices, it's up to dentist to decide and they often do it to make extra $$. I have a friend who is dentist, some inside info, he doesn't do this and is disgusted with dentists who do.
If insurance allows for annual work it doesn't mean it needs to be done, but some dentists will squeeze everything out of insurance since they can. Many start trying to schedule patients for dental work every end of the year when they realize patient's insurance wasn't fully taken advantage of.
If insurance allows for annual work it doesn't mean it needs to be done, but some dentists will squeeze everything out of insurance since they can. Many start trying to schedule patients for dental work every end of the year when they realize patient's insurance wasn't fully taken advantage of.
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I get X-rays every other year, sometimes longer unless there's a problem. My dentist says that's fine since I have good teeth. If he can't find a cavity with the pick I'm OK with that, I don't need to be bombarded with radiation needlessly. I do go for cleanings and exams twice a year.
It's a racket to a degree. My dentist won't even do an examination without starting with x-rays. And I'm not sure what criteria they use to make this judgment call, but if they determine that you need a "deep" cleaning (laser root scaling), they won't just do a regular cleaning. On principal, I haven't had a cleaning this year because I found that to be BS. Which reminds me.. I need to find a new dentist.
Patman
Staff member
The last time I went to my dentist they wanted to do an X-ray and I said no because I pay for it out of pocket and they gave me one for free. But the cleaning there is super expensive (almost $300!) That’s why my dentist drives this:
I have both fillings and crowns. I get limited dental x-rays about every other year. The only areas that are x-rayed are the upper and lower back halves.
I have had 2 complete (panoramic) dental x-rays in my entire life.
I call limiting the amount of x-ray radiation one component of good dental care.
I have a cleaning and fluoride treatment twice a year and a dental examination once a year.
I have had 2 complete (panoramic) dental x-rays in my entire life.
I call limiting the amount of x-ray radiation one component of good dental care.
I have a cleaning and fluoride treatment twice a year and a dental examination once a year.
A few years ago it became fashionable to replace people's "silver fillings" with white fillings. The alleged concern was the amount of mercury in these silver filling amalgams. And yes a tiny amount of mercury vapour does escape when you chew on a silver filling. But the amount released is trivial. [The toxicology principle is, "The dose makes the poison".]
I have no problem with replacing silver fillings with white fillings when they need replacing. But having them all replaced "just because" is not sensible. For the record, although I'm a (retired) specialist in occupational and environmental health issues, I still have several "silver fillings".
I have no problem with replacing silver fillings with white fillings when they need replacing. But having them all replaced "just because" is not sensible. For the record, although I'm a (retired) specialist in occupational and environmental health issues, I still have several "silver fillings".
Bitewings yes. Basically all four quadrants.
Panoramic or full mouth every five years.
I only go to the dentist when there's a problem, so I don't know what her approach to maintenance is. She will have her assistant shoot an X-ray or two only when it is clearly warranted by the situation. Also she didn't charge extra for them, at least not as a line item.
The amount of radiation for dental X-rays is insignificant, especially compared to what it used to be. At my dentist's they don't even put the lead shield on you any longer.
Even if you got a decent amount of radiation….. you will only glow in the dark for a few days.
Nothing to worry about.
great tax deduction for the biz
i have a cousin that is a dentist . the amount insurance pays for cleaning and other routine stuff is just enough to cover cost of services . he needs to make money on other stuff . he's been a dentist for 25 years , owns his own practice and lives a middle class life . he makes less a year than a FB programmer .
I don't get prophy X-rays anymore. I had an upper and lower CT abdominal scan awhile back for a twisted intestine. My wife and I also shot rads for years with a WWII US Army surplus field unit. Add to these a lifetime of prophy dental rads and I decided I didn't need anymore radiation unless diagnostic. I have insurance that would pay for them but I pass.
MolaKule
Staff member
I just had a series of bitewings done because the dentist wants to make sure no internal problems inside the teeth or bone structures.
The latest X-ray machines produce a low level and narrow pulse of radiation such that lead chest covers are no longer needed. The bitewing sensors are more sensitive as well.
I get a cleaning and exam every 6 months, but they do X-rays and gum measuring once a year.
Patman
Staff member
Things are way different here in Canada, especially if you have a large practice. My dentist has two other doctors working with him (his son and daughter in law) and he has at least 7 or 8 hygienists working at any given time. So the amount of money that is going into his practice on a daily basis is mind boggling. And when he retires from practicing he can still keep ownership of his practice and keep raking in the money as well, until he inevitably passes the practice over to his son.
