Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] This is a question for a  dentist to answer please. Yesterday I went to the dentist for a routine cleaning. While there the hygienist said that it was time for some wing bite x-rays. It had been two years since I had my last x-rays done. She proceeded to do them, however, I noticed that she was doing quite a few of them using various mouth pieces to get different views. After at least six different x-rays I asked her why so many were being done and she said that the doctor wanted a comprehensive set of x-rays done since it had been two years since my last x-rays were performed. I then asked the hygienist what comprises a comprehensive set and she said that ever tooth would be x-rayed. She said that they do that because cavities form between teeth and they want to know ahead what teeth might be heading for cavities. I have not had any cavities over the past 15 years and take extremely good care of my teeth, using the water pik twice daily and brushing and flossing regularly.  I am concerned about the amount of radiation that we expose ourselves to so this question is important to me to be clear on. I didnt feel I had any real clarification on this and wished for a bit more information. It wasnt forthcoming. So my key question is: what is a comprehensive x-ray procedure, and does it involve filming every tooth in a patients mouth. I have never heard of this protocol being used before. Any information on this question would be helpful. Thank you.                                                                                         Linda
[|AI|]  Thanks for your query, thanks for your query, the radiographs are done based on the clinical examination where the diagnosis needs to be confirmed by radiograph where the bone level and decay is not visible clinically...it was not necessary to take radiograph of all the teeth instead you could have taken orthopantomograph which shows all the teeth and supporting bone.I hope my answer will help you. Take care.