EFFECTS OF DIGITAL RADIOGRAPY

Effects of Digital Radiography on the Fetus

Abstract

The effects of Dental Radiography and Cellular radiations have been a subject of great debate ever since these innovations were incorporated in modern Dental practice. There also seems to be a growing concern among professionals regarding the amount of radiation used for Dental procedures. Similarly, the effects of Dental Radiography, its cellular effects and the usage of bite wings have also been studied on pregnant women. There seems to be a consensus among researchers in the light of available scientific evidence; that the possibility of damage due to Dental radiography or the usage of bite wings is 'negligible'. It is also considered that the risk to the fetus (if any) is also close to minimal. Ms. Reynolds in concerned about a Dental treatment she received recently; which required her to use bite wings for the detection of inter proximal caries. She is concerned if that would have any effect on the fetus; since she is pregnant. It would also counter the strongly held misconceptions about the usage of radiations in Dental procedures. The paper would attempt to convince Ms. Sarah Reynolds in the light of modern scientific research available on the subject. Table of contents

Introduction4

Discussion4

Cellular effects of radiation4

Somatic Vs Genetic Effects5

Somatic effects6

Variation in Radio sensitivity of tissues in the human body6

Radiation dosages used in dentistry7

Dental radiography and the Pregnant patient8

Implementation of ALARA principle9

Conclusion9

“Effects of Digital Radiography on the Fetus”

Introduction

Ms. Sarah Reynolds visited a dentist regarding the inter proximal dental caries. A delicate procedure that involves using a set of bite wings i.e. radiographic pictures. It involves the 'current best practice' in Dental procedures using digital X-ray equipments along with a PSP image. A week after the treatment, Ms. Sarah called contacted the dentist in a distressed state when she found out that she was six weeks pregnant. She became quite upset that the bite wings might have harmed her fetus.

Her concerns were valid, but she was unaware of the new technologies used in dentistry in today's Modern era. In order to manage the situation; she was educated on radiation and its dosage and effects. She was also informed about the different radiosensitivity mechanisms, the measurements and prevention during dental radiography. She was also told about radiation protection, the 'ALARA' principle used in Dentistry and also about the features and management of radiographic equipment (Tamimi, 2008, pp. 5).

The following theories and principles would better assure her about the safety of her fetus and convince her that her dental procedure did not have any effect on her fetus.

Discussion

Cellular effects of radiation

According to Kal et. al (2002), the human body is composed of various organs which comprise of specialized cells and tissues. Ionizing radiation are the radiations that are chemically reactive and can potentially influence the normal action of these cells by the process of ionization (pp. 289). Genetic differences also attribute to the extent of damage due to radiations. The ionization often results in chemically enriched substances and in some ...