The DEXsheild is a black ring that focuses the radiation produced by an X-Ray beam to the exact dimensions of our digital sensors.
When receiving medical, dental or pharmaceutical care, safety is everyone’s main concern. Adverse reactions, side effects and allergies can all make a treatment undesirable or unrealistic for your personal needs. As such, our office is always looking for new ways to minimize any potential risks while maximizing our patients’ wellness. Most recently, we have updated our X-Ray safety protocol to include the new DEXsheild radiation shield.
For starters, it is important to note that dental X-rays are an extremely safe and useful diagnostic tool. A standard dental X-ray produces roughly a quarter of the radiation you would receive on any given day. Yearly, it represents a negligible fraction of radiation exposure that our bodies absorb from the sun, consumer electronics and other sources. At our office, we further minimize any risks by utilizing high sensitivity digital X-ray sensors, radiation aprons with thyroid collars and modern X-ray beams. In short, we make sure every patient is safe and protected to standards exceeding those laid out by the ADA and other governing bodies.
The DEXsheild fits in to our current safety standards by narrowing the beam of radiation that the patient is exposed to. We have always used devices called collimated X-ray beams. Here, a thick metal tube essentially focuses the radiation produced by the beam to the oral region. While the sensor can detect and develop an image, the rest of your body is largely unexposed to any X-rays. The DEXsheild works by taking the place of a standard targeting ring (the red, blue and yellow rings we have on the outside of the sensor holders) and blocking the released radiation to the exact dimensions of the sensor. It essentially functions as a secondary safety apron, but for your mouth!
X-rays represent an indispensable tool at any dental office. The information provided from a few quick photographs can give us fantastic perspective into if a tooth is healthy, why it might be hurting or what we can do to repair it. We also understand that many patients are concerned about radiation exposure and want to know how we are keeping them safe. If you have any questions or concerns on ANY of our safety protocols, please give us a call. Our patient’s safety is our primary concern and we are happy to alleviate any of your worries!