Are Dental X-Rays Safe? OPG Radiation Dose & Safety Facts You Need to Know

If you have ever hesitated before a dental X-ray and wondered whether the radiation is truly safe, you are not alone. Radiation anxiety is one of the most common concerns patients raise in dental and radiology clinics. The short, definitive answer is: yes, dental X-rays are safe. The radiation dose from a standard dental X-ray is extraordinarily low - so low, in fact, that you receive more radiation from a single long-haul flight, a day spent outdoors, or even from the natural potassium in your own body than you do from a panoramic dental X-ray.

This guide provides a complete, evidence-based breakdown of dental X-ray radiation doses, explains exactly how those doses compare to everyday radiation sources, addresses safety during pregnancy and childhood, clarifies the role of lead aprons and thyroid shields, and describes the imaging safety standards used at Doctors Clinic Diagnostic Center (DCDC) in Dubai Healthcare City. Every section is reviewed by Dr. Osama Elzamzami, Consultant Radiologist (MD, FRCR), to ensure clinical accuracy.

How Much Radiation Do Dental X-Rays Emit?

The amount of radiation a dental X-ray emits depends on the type of scan, the machine technology (digital versus film), and the area of the body being imaged. Radiation dose in medical imaging is measured in microsieverts (μSv), a unit that accounts for both the amount of radiation absorbed and its biological effect on human tissue. To give you a sense of scale, the average person on Earth absorbs approximately 2,400 μSv per year (about 6.5 μSv per day) from natural background radiation - cosmic rays from space, radon gas from soil, and naturally radioactive elements in food and water.

Dental X-rays sit at the very bottom of the medical radiation spectrum. Here is how the most common types compare:

As the table shows, a single periapical X-ray delivers as little as 1 μSv - roughly equivalent to a few hours of background radiation. A bitewing X-ray is similarly low at 1-5 μSv. An OPG (panoramic) X-ray, which captures both jaws and all teeth in one image, delivers 10-20 μSv, which is still less than what you receive from two days of simply existing on Earth. Even a CBCT scan, the highest-dose dental imaging modality, delivers a fraction of the dose of a standard medical CT scan of the head (approximately 2,000 μSv).

"When patients ask me if a dental X-ray is safe, I tell them the numbers directly," says Dr. Osama Elzamzami, Consultant Radiologist at DCDC. "An OPG delivers about 14 μSv. That is less radiation than you absorb sitting in your garden for two days. The dose is so low that it is biologically insignificant - there is no mechanism by which such a tiny amount of radiation could cause harm."

Dental X-Ray Radiation Compared to Everyday Exposure

One of the most effective ways to understand dental X-ray safety is to compare the radiation dose to sources of radiation you encounter in daily life without a second thought. Radiation is not something that exists only in hospitals and X-ray rooms; it is a constant, unavoidable part of the natural environment. Cosmic rays bombard the Earth from space, radon gas seeps from the soil, radioactive potassium-40 exists naturally in bananas, nuts, and your own muscles, and building materials like granite and concrete emit low levels of radiation continuously.

Here is how a single OPG X-ray (approximately 14 μSv) compares to common everyday radiation exposures:

• Eating 1 banana: approximately 0.1 μSv (you would need to eat 140 bananas to match one OPG)
• One day of natural background radiation: approximately 6.5 μSv (an OPG equals about 2 days)
• Living in a concrete building for 1 year: approximately 70 μSv (5 OPGs worth)
• A 7-hour flight from Dubai to London: approximately 40-80 μSv (3 to 6 times more than an OPG)
• A round-trip transatlantic flight: approximately 80-160 μSv (up to 11 OPGs worth)
• Annual dose from food (potassium-40, carbon-14): approximately 300 μSv (equivalent to 21 OPGs)
• Annual cosmic radiation at sea level: approximately 240 μSv (equivalent to 17 OPGs)
• Total average annual background radiation: approximately 2,400 μSv (equivalent to 170 OPGs)

These comparisons make one fact unmistakably clear: the radiation dose from a dental X-ray is trivial compared to what you absorb from the natural world every single day. A person who refuses a dental X-ray out of radiation fear but then boards a flight to Europe has exposed themselves to several times more radiation during the flight than the X-ray would have delivered. The difference is that the flight does not carry a diagnostic benefit, while the X-ray does.

It is also worth noting that the human body is equipped with robust DNA repair mechanisms that continuously fix minor radiation damage caused by background radiation. The doses involved in dental imaging are so low that they fall well within the body's natural capacity to repair without any lasting effect.

Are Dental X-Rays Safe During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is the single most common reason patients hesitate to undergo dental X-rays, and the concern is understandable. The developing fetus is more sensitive to radiation than adult tissues, and expectant mothers naturally want to minimize any potential risk. The good news is that the radiation dose from a dental X-ray is extremely small and is directed at the jaw, far from the uterus and the developing baby.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Dental Association (ADA) both state that dental X-rays can be performed safely during pregnancy when clinically indicated, with appropriate shielding. The key principle is clinical justification: an X-ray should be taken only if the diagnostic benefit outweighs the theoretical risk, and in practice, the risk from a dental X-ray during pregnancy is negligible.

Here is what the evidence says:

• The radiation dose from an OPG (10-20 μSv) is far below the threshold for fetal harm. Studies indicate that a dose of at least 50,000 μSv (50 mSv) to the uterus would be needed before any measurable risk to the fetus could be detected. A single OPG delivers roughly 0.03% of that threshold.
• The X-ray beam is directed at the jaw, not the abdomen. Scattered radiation reaching the uterus from a dental X-ray is negligible - estimated at less than 0.01 μSv, which is thousands of times lower than daily background exposure.
• A lead apron over the abdomen and pelvis provides an additional layer of protection, blocking virtually all scattered radiation from reaching the fetal area.
• Elective dental imaging is typically postponed until after delivery as a precautionary measure, especially during the first trimester. However, urgent diagnostic imaging should not be delayed, because untreated dental infections can pose a greater risk to both mother and baby than the X-ray itself.

"The biggest risk during pregnancy is not the X-ray - it is the untreated dental infection that the X-ray would have diagnosed," explains Dr. Osama Elzamzami. "I have seen cases where a pregnant patient delayed a necessary X-ray out of radiation fear, and the underlying abscess progressed to a systemic infection that required emergency hospitalization. The X-ray dose is biologically insignificant to the fetus. The infection is not."

The bottom line: if your dentist or radiologist determines that a dental X-ray is clinically necessary during pregnancy, it is safe to proceed with appropriate lead shielding. Always inform the radiographer that you are pregnant so that all precautions can be applied.

Dental X-Ray Safety for Children

Children are exposed to dental X-rays more frequently than many parents realize. From monitoring the eruption of permanent teeth and detecting cavities to evaluating orthodontic readiness and identifying impacted teeth, dental imaging is a routine part of pediatric dental care. Naturally, parents want reassurance that these X-rays are safe for their growing children.

The straightforward answer is: dental X-rays are safe for children when performed with appropriate technique and clinical justification. However, because children are smaller than adults and their cells divide more rapidly (making them slightly more radiosensitive), additional precautions are standard practice.

Dose Reduction for Pediatric Patients

Modern digital X-ray machines, including the equipment used at DCDC, include automatic pediatric dose-reduction protocols that lower the radiation output (kilovoltage and milliampere settings) based on the child's age and size. This means a child receiving an OPG scan is exposed to significantly less radiation than an adult undergoing the same scan - often 30-50% less.

The ALARA Principle

All dental imaging for children follows the ALARA principle - As Low As Reasonably Achievable. This means that X-rays are taken only when clinically necessary, the field of view is restricted to the area of interest, the fastest possible detector speed is used, and every image is taken with proper shielding. No child should receive a dental X-ray "just because" or as a blanket screening measure without clinical indication.

When Children Need Dental X-Rays

• Cavity detection: Bitewing X-rays are used to detect cavities between teeth that are not visible during a clinical examination, especially in tight contact areas between baby molars.
• Monitoring tooth development: OPG X-rays allow dentists and orthodontists to see the position and development stage of permanent teeth forming beneath the gums, identify missing teeth (agenesis), and detect extra teeth (supernumerary).
• Orthodontic planning: An OPG is required before braces or aligners to assess root positions, jaw growth, and any abnormalities that could affect treatment.
• Trauma evaluation: Falls and sports injuries frequently damage children's teeth. X-rays are essential to assess root fractures, displacement, and damage to developing permanent teeth beneath injured baby teeth.
• Infection assessment: Periapical X-rays identify abscesses at tooth root tips that can damage developing permanent teeth if left untreated.

Parents should feel confident that a dental X-ray recommended by their child's dentist has been carefully justified and that the diagnostic benefit substantially outweighs the minimal radiation exposure involved. Refusing a necessary X-ray can lead to missed cavities, delayed orthodontic treatment, or undiagnosed infections that cause far more harm than the negligible radiation dose.

How Often Should You Get Dental X-Rays?

There is no single universal schedule for dental X-rays because the appropriate frequency depends on your individual clinical situation - your age, oral health status, risk factors for dental disease, and the specific conditions your dentist is monitoring. The principle that guides imaging frequency is clinical justification: every X-ray must have a clear diagnostic purpose, and no X-ray should be taken as a routine measure without a reason.

The American Dental Association (ADA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) jointly published guidelines for the frequency of dental radiographic examinations based on patient risk categories:

• New patients (all ages): A baseline set of X-rays, typically including an OPG and/or a full-mouth series, is recommended at the initial dental visit to establish a comprehensive record of the patient's oral health status.
• Adult patients with low caries risk: Bitewing X-rays every 24-36 months. OPG or full-mouth series every 3-5 years or as needed.
• Adult patients with high caries risk: Bitewing X-rays every 6-18 months. Additional periapical or OPG images as clinically indicated.
• Children with primary dentition (baby teeth): Bitewing X-rays every 12-24 months if surfaces cannot be examined visually. OPG when permanent tooth development assessment is needed.
• Adolescents with permanent dentition: Bitewing X-rays every 18-36 months. OPG for orthodontic assessment or wisdom tooth evaluation, typically once between ages 16-20.
• Patients with periodontal disease: Periapical and/or bitewing X-rays at intervals determined by disease severity and treatment response, often every 12-24 months.

These guidelines demonstrate that even for high-risk patients, dental X-rays are not taken at every visit. When they are taken, the cumulative annual dose remains extremely low. A patient who receives four bitewing X-rays and one OPG in a year accumulates a total dose of approximately 30-40 μSv - less than a week of natural background radiation.

The key takeaway is to trust your dentist's clinical judgment. If they recommend an X-ray, it is because the diagnostic information it provides is necessary for your care. If they do not recommend one, it means the clinical picture is clear without additional imaging.

Lead Aprons and Thyroid Shields: Are They Necessary?

For decades, lead aprons and thyroid shields have been standard accessories during dental X-rays. Many patients have come to expect them, and some feel uneasy if a lead apron is not offered. However, the scientific and regulatory landscape around lead shielding in dental imaging has evolved significantly in recent years, and the answer to whether they are "necessary" is more nuanced than most patients realize.

What the Current Evidence Says

In 2023, the American Dental Association (ADA) updated its position statement to note that lead aprons and thyroid collars provide minimal additional protection during dental X-rays when modern digital equipment with rectangular collimation is used. The reasoning is straightforward: modern dental X-ray systems are so precisely focused on the area of interest that virtually no scattered radiation reaches the torso or thyroid gland. The dose to areas outside the primary beam is effectively zero.

Similarly, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) released a position statement in 2019 recommending the discontinuation of routine patient shielding for all diagnostic X-ray procedures, including dental imaging, on the basis that the shielding provides no meaningful dose reduction and can interfere with image quality if positioned incorrectly.

Why Many Clinics Still Use Them

Despite the updated evidence, many dental clinics and radiology departments - including DCDC - continue to offer lead aprons and thyroid shields for several practical reasons:

• Patient comfort and reassurance: Many patients feel more at ease when wearing a lead apron. The psychological benefit of visible protection should not be underestimated, especially for anxious patients.
• Regulatory compliance: Some regional health authorities still require lead shielding as part of their radiation safety protocols, regardless of the latest evidence-based recommendations.
• Pregnant patients: Lead abdominal shielding remains a standard precaution for pregnant patients as an added layer of reassurance, even though the scattered radiation dose to the uterus from a dental X-ray is negligible.
• Pediatric patients: Lead aprons are commonly used for children to minimize any theoretical risk and to comply with the ALARA principle of keeping radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable.

"The lead apron debate often generates more anxiety than the X-ray itself," observes Dr. Osama Elzamzami. "The reality is that modern digital dental X-ray machines are so precisely collimated that the dose outside the imaged area is negligible with or without a lead apron. We still offer them at DCDC because patients expect and appreciate them, and the psychological reassurance has genuine value. But patients should know that the absence of a lead apron during a dental X-ray does not mean they are unprotected - the machine's own design is the primary safeguard."

DCDC's Dental Imaging Safety Standards

At Doctors Clinic Diagnostic Center (DCDC) in Dubai Healthcare City, patient safety is the foundation of every imaging study we perform. Our dental imaging protocols are designed to deliver the highest diagnostic quality at the lowest possible radiation dose, in full compliance with international radiation safety standards and the regulations of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

Here is how DCDC ensures your safety during every dental X-ray:

• State-of-the-art digital equipment: DCDC uses fully digital X-ray and OPG systems that require up to 80% less radiation than older film-based machines. Digital sensors are significantly more sensitive to X-rays, meaning less radiation is needed to produce a diagnostically superior image.
• Automatic dose optimization: Our machines include built-in algorithms that automatically adjust radiation output based on the patient's size, age, and the area being imaged. Pediatric patients receive a lower dose than adults, and smaller jaw anatomy requires less radiation than larger anatomy.
• Rectangular collimation: Where applicable, our intraoral X-ray units use rectangular collimators that restrict the X-ray beam to the exact size of the digital sensor. This reduces the irradiated area by up to 60% compared to round collimation, significantly lowering overall patient dose.
• Lead shielding provided: Lead aprons and thyroid collars are offered for all dental X-ray procedures. They are routinely applied for pregnant patients, children, and any patient who requests them.
• ALARA principle in practice: Every imaging request at DCDC is reviewed for clinical justification before the scan is performed. Unnecessary or repeat imaging is avoided. If a recent diagnostic-quality image already exists, a new scan is not taken.
• Consultant radiologist reporting: Every dental X-ray at DCDC is reviewed and reported by a consultant radiologist, not a general dentist or technician. This ensures that findings are accurately identified and that no pathology is overlooked.
• Regular quality assurance: Our X-ray equipment undergoes scheduled quality control testing, including output calibration, beam alignment checks, and image quality assessments, to ensure consistent performance and dose accuracy.
• DHA-licensed and regulated: DCDC operates under a full DHA license with radiation safety compliance monitored through regular inspections and staff dosimetry (personal radiation dose monitoring badges).

A patient recently shared her experience at DCDC: "I was terrified of dental X-rays because I read frightening articles online about radiation. When I came to DCDC for an OPG, the radiographer explained exactly how much radiation was involved - less than a day in the sun - and showed me the lead apron and the dose settings on the machine. The scan took 15 seconds. I felt reassured, and the OPG revealed a hidden infection I had no idea about. I am glad I did not let fear stop me from getting scanned."

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Final Thoughts

Dental X-rays are among the safest imaging procedures in medicine. A single OPG delivers 10-20 μSv of radiation - less than what you absorb from natural background sources in two days, less than a long-haul flight, and thousands of times below the dose threshold at which any health risk has ever been detected. Modern digital systems have reduced doses by up to 80% compared to older film technology, automatic dose-reduction protocols protect children and smaller patients, and strict clinical justification ensures that no X-ray is taken without a diagnostic purpose.

The real risk is not in having a dental X-ray - it is in avoiding one. An undiagnosed cavity, a hidden abscess, an impacted wisdom tooth pressing on a nerve, or an undetected jaw lesion can all lead to pain, infection, tooth loss, and costly emergency treatments that a simple, low-dose X-ray would have caught early. Trust the evidence, trust your dentist's recommendation, and do not let radiation anxiety prevent you from receiving the diagnostic care you need.

If you need a dental X-ray in Dubai, Doctors Clinic Diagnostic Center (DCDC) in Dubai Healthcare City offers state-of-the-art digital OPG and intraoral X-ray services with same-day consultant radiologist reporting, pediatric dose protocols, and walk-in availability. Contact us to book your scan.

Автор

Dr. Osama Elzamzami

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Diagnostic Radiology

MD, FRCR

Dr. Osama Elzamzami is a Consultant Radiologist specializing in diagnostic imaging at DCDC Dubai Healthcare City. With extensive experience in dental and maxillofacial radiology, he provides expert reporting for OPG, CBCT, X-ray, CT, MRI, and ultrasound imaging studies, with a focus on patient safety and evidence-based practice.

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