I brought along a dosimeter to a dental appointment a few years ago. I
received several x-rays that day. Underneath the lead apron, the
dosimeter did not read any dose. However, when the x-ray machine was
aimed right at the dosimeter, it registered about 100 mrem (at least that
much). It makes sense that the jaw receives a relatively high dose
compared to the body as a whole.
Steven T. Ratliff
Associate Professor of Physics
Northwestern College
3003 Snelling Ave. N.
St. Paul, MN 55113-1598
U. S. A.
Internet: str@nwc.edu (or stratliff@nwc.edu)
Larry Smith <Larry.Smith@SNOW.EDU>
Sent by: "phys-l@lists.nau.edu: Forum for Physics Educators" <PHYS-L
12/27/00 04:49 PM
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Subject: dental x-rays
What is the dosage of a typical modern dental x-ray? My dentist said it
is
about the same as a cross-country airplane flight; is he in the ballpark?
Do the benefits of frequent dental x-rays outweigh the risks? What would
be the optimum time interval between dental x-rays for someone with
healthy
teeth?