Thyroid shield when having dental X-rays

[Oakwood4321]

I read about using a thyroid shield when having dental X-rays (I think it was in Harmony magazine), I’d never heard of this before and have had quite a few dental X-rays. Since joining thyroid uk I found a holistic dentist who routinely use a thyroid shield and I changed to their practice.

I have a family member needing dental X-rays and their dentist doesn’t have a shield and said it’s not necessary. I asked if a patient brought their own shield could they use it, they said this would be ok.

I’d like to give my family more information but I can’t find the information.

Does anyone know more about this please?

I’ve just looked up on the internet and can see various makes for sale - has anyone bought one?

😊

[helvella Administrator]

Last time I looked at this issue, the X-rays of individual teeth/roots are almost always done using incredibly low dose machines and very little spill from the target area. Little concern to their use even without a thyroid shield.

However, panoramic machines cause a much greater dose and are inherently less tightly directed. Further, those machines can be quite old and tend not to be latest technology.

[Oakwood4321 in reply to helvella]

that’s so reassuring helvella, thank you. It makes sense about the difference with the panoramic machines too. I do remember now that this holistic dentist did talk about the latest X-ray equipment they had. They automatically use a shield too.

[Ellie-Louise in reply to helvella]

That’s what my dentist says too. I questioned him about it when needing to have extra X-rays taken last year.

[Brightness14]

It is important to have the shield, can you change your dentist. I had my thyroid removed due to thyroid cancer and always have the shield when having my teeth X-ray.

[tattybogle in reply to Brightness14]

Curious ....if you now have no thyroid .. why the shield ?

what is your concern re x rays ... modern Dentist x ray machines are not the same as the older ones... so if they re using up to date equipment the x rays are presumably very low ' dose' and not going anywhere near the thyroid anyway .

[Brightness14 in reply to tattybogle]

Cancer cells could be reactivated. I was advised to have a shield by my dentist so that's what I do now.

[Oakwood4321 in reply to Brightness14]

hi Brightness14

Thanks for replying. I’ve been going to a holistic dentist for last few years and they use one. My daughter has her own dentist and needs X-rays and that started me talking to her about a thyroid shield. Her dentist doesn’t have one but they’re happy if a patient wants to use one if they buy one.

I’m relieved to learn the modern X-rays are more targeted and lower dose. I’ll still use the shield at my dentist just for reassurance.

[Batty1]

I never had a neck shield during dentals until 3 years ago when my dentist started using one…. Does make me wonder.