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Our Brand New ACCELERATED Fat Loss Diet!I am new to Maryland and just went to a new dentist because I am having jaw problems. I had a panoramic x-ray done, but was never given a lead apron to put on. Unfortunately, I didn't even think about it at the time. I'm worried that it may have caused harm to my eggs. I'm 21 years old and want to eventually have kids, but am worried about the health of my future children. Can anyone give me information about this?
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6 responses so far ↓
1 logical1 // Jul 4, 2008
Your jaw was x-rayed, and therefore the x-rays were near your head, not your ovaries. However, a lead apron for any future x-rays would be a really good idea, both for safety to your neck, breasts, and everything lower….and because it's standard for dentist offices in general. Feel free to ask them about this.
2 ptrobrn // Jul 4, 2008
The x-ray is tightly focused. it only passes through the area in which the gun is pointing. So don't let them take an x-ray of your waist. Its been forever since I've had the panoramic one done but I don't recall having the apron. Usually they put one on you when you are laying back and they do one side then the other. I don't think the aprons are designed to be hung off you. Just lay on top. I would ask your dentist why a lead apron wasn't used.
3 Ana S // Jul 4, 2008
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS PUT ONE ON, BUT YOUR GOING TO BE FINE THE DON'T WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT IT BECAUSE IS VERY LIGHT CHANCE OF THIS TO HARM YOUR EGGS NEXT TIME YOU VISIT A DENTIST JUST MAKE SURE THEY ALWAYS PUT ONE ON YOU TAKE CARE..
4 painfredoc // Jul 4, 2008
Recall what that xray machine looked like: a 'cone-like' attachment was placed at the working-end to direct the xrays at your teeth & gums.
That 'cone' keeps the xrays concentrated upon your teeth 'n' gums, not lower. Not to worry; you're not in any danger. The exposure was also short in time; that's even better, and you'll not do it again for a long time.
5 shamiqua // Jul 4, 2008
yes it can. that is why you wear the lead apron. someone like that is liable to lose their liscence. radiation affects the fastest reproducing cells. so your reproductive organs… thryiod, and pregnant women (the fetus) are all to worry about its affects. that is why sometimes when someone has cancer they do radiation therapy. honestly, you will most likely be fine. if you were around it all day then you need to worry. there is radiation that bounces off, scatter radiation, and that is why you wear the vest. dont ever be afraid to say something to your health care providers if it partains to your health!
long story short…. dont worry, you are fine!
6 Lissacal // Jul 4, 2008
X-rays do not fly all willy nilly around a room. They are highly directed and concentrated beams of radiation which expose only the area of interest…in your case, your teeth and jaw.
The following website has questions answered by qualified personnel who are experts in radiation and it's effects. Here is some pertinent information…..
"QUESTION: I recently had some dental x rays and the operator forgot to place the lead apron on me. Is this a problem?
ANSWER: Use of the lead apron to protect the patient undergoing dental radiographic examination was recommended some 50 years ago, when equipment was crude. This was because x-ray beams were not restricted to the area of clinical interest, beams were not filtered, and x-ray film was slower, causing radiation exposures 10 to 100 times higher than received today. With the current technology reducing radiation exposure significantly and the beam limited only to the area of interest, there is little or no measurable difference in whole-body dose whether a lead apron is used or not. The lead apron is no longer regarded as essential although some consider it a prudent practice, especially for pregnant and potentially pregnant females."
http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/faqs/dentalpatientissuesq&a.html
So you know, a CT scan of the abdomen uses a much, much higher dose of radiation to an area closer to your ovaries than a panoramic dental x-ray.
"QUESTION: I had a CT scan of my abdomen and pelvic area six weeks ago. My doctor told me to wait one menstrual cycle before trying to conceive. Is there any evidence that suggests waiting longer or is it okay to conceive at this time?
ANSWER: The dose of ionizing radiation you receive to your ovaries from a CT scan of the abdomen is very low and the risk of producing a genetic change in the ovary that may be manifested in your future pregnancies is also very low. In fact, the scientists who studied the survivors of the atomic bomb in Japan did not demonstrate any increased genetic or reproductive effects in the next generation. Be that as it may, because experimentally we know that the ova ovulated in the first few cycles after an exposure to radiation have a higher risk of a genetic effect, we recommend that women who have received radiation therapy wait for three cycles before they attempt to get pregnant. For someone who had a CT scan, like yourself, your exposure is far less them some who is receiving radiation therapy to the abdomen."
http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q2070.html
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