how much radiation from an old dental x-ray machine

March 1, 2008 4:00 AM

Radiation levels from older dental x-ray machines?

Some time in the next year I may need to have dental work done in a third world asian country. The x-ray machines in use there are either 30 years old, or inexpensive Indian / Chinese models which put out quite a bit more radiation than a modern north american x-ray machine.

How much radiation can I expect to receive from a series of dental x-rays, and how does that amount compare to the same 'shots' taken by a modern machine?

posted by thewalrus to Science & Nature (2 answers total)

I don't know the answer to your question, but you could consider getting a series of x-rays done before you go, and bringing them with you on CD-ROM and/or printout. Or if you have already had some done recently, request the files.

A useful search term would be rem and mrem (ie millirems), which are the measurement units for human absorbed radiation (dose-equivalent). Combine that with dental, and a few other things, and hopefully you can find the range of dental equipment, and how it compares with other forms of exposure.
posted by -harlequin- at 9:14 AM on March 1, 2008

Actually, Millisievert, or mSv, will probably be a more useful search term. rem (like miles, ounces, etc) is outdated, and mainly only used in the USA.
posted by -harlequin- at 9:21 AM on March 1, 2008