Radiation Safety at Fremont Dental Imaging
Your Safety, Our Priority
At Fremont Dental Imaging, your health and safety always come first. We use the latest digital technology and follow strict protocols to keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) while ensuring clear, accurate diagnostic images.
Why Radiation Safety Matters
Dental imaging is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. But we understand that patients often have questions like:
- "Are dental X-rays safe?"
- "How much radiation is in a CBCT scan?"
- "Is it safe for kids or pregnant women?"
We've built this page to answer those questions clearly and honestly.
Advanced Low-Dose Technology
- CBCT (Cone Beam CT): We use the state-of-the-art Green X machine from VaTech, renowned for its low-dose capabilities. This scanner uses significantly lower doses compared to traditional medical CT scans while delivering superior image quality.
Radiation in Perspective
Here's how dental imaging compares to everyday radiation exposure:
| Scan Type | Approx. Dose (mSv) | Equivalent To... |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Bitewing X-ray | ~0.005 mSv | Equivalent to ~1 day of background radiation [¹] |
| Panoramic X-ray | ~0.025 mSv | Equivalent to ~3 days of background radiation [¹] |
| CBCT (small field) | ~0.18 mSv | Equivalent to ~22 days of background radiation [¹] |
| CBCT (small FOV, low dose) | <0.1 mSv | (varies by scanner and setting) [²] |
| One Banana (Banana Equivalent Dose) | ~0.0001 mSv | Equivalent to eating 1 banana 🍌 [³] |
| Annual Background Radiation (US average) | ~3.0 mSv | Typical annual radiation exposure in the U.S. [⁴] |
References:
[¹] RSNA / RadiologyInfo – Radiation Dose from X-Ray and CT Exams (source)
[²] Pereira et al., 2024 – Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Doses (AAP Journal) (source)
[³] RDHmag – Bananas vs. Dental Radiographs (source), and Today's RDH – Radiation Equivalencies Chart (PDF)
[⁴] Wikipedia – Background Radiation (source)
Safety Protocols We Follow
- Lead aprons & thyroid collars for extra protection
- Customized settings for children and adults
- Strict adherence to ALARA principles to minimize exposure
Special Considerations
Children
Lower, carefully adjusted settings for growing patients.
Pregnancy
Avoid imaging whenever possible; extra shielding if necessary.
Repeat Imaging
Only when clinically necessary.
Our Commitment
By combining advanced equipment, rigorous safety protocols, and a patient-first philosophy, Fremont Dental Imaging ensures that every scan is both safe and effective.
👉 Questions? Concerns? We encourage you to ask our team anytime. Transparency builds trust, and we're here to keep you informed and comfortable every step of the way.