WARNING!
This is an older article that may not reflect Dr. Mercola’s current view on this topic. Use our search engine to find Dr. Mercola’s latest position on any health topic.
Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to radiation, which has led doctors to start a national campaign to protect them by reducing their exposure to diagnostic radiation. But there is at least one place where the message has not taken hold -- the dental office.
Most dentists continue to use outmoded X-ray film that requires higher amounts of radiation. In addition, orthodontists are embracing a new scanning device that emits significantly more radiation than other methods. The device, known as a cone-beam CT scanner, provides 3-D images of teeth.