Airport Security and Lead Aprons: Why Some Precautions No Longer Make Sense

Happy September! Recently I went through airport security and something had changed: no one had to take their shoes off. When the change in protocol first came about, I couldn’t believe it. Overtime and with information being given, along with the general public, I understood and was happy to keep my shoes on in the airport.

The changes in the airport are similar to the changes happening in our dental office in Darien, CT. In our office we have two lead aprons hanging on the walls. They once served a purpose and now they are obsolete. We still use them but they actually are not necessary! This is very difficult for patients to accept, and it may take a long while, and that is why we still have them here. This is also why I thought it important to explain the change in guidelines issued by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (AAOMR).

First let’s look at why the lead apron, or vest, was used in the first place. When they were first introduced in 1920 (that is over 100 years ago!), dental technology was far less precise, used much more radiation, and caused scatter radiation. In the past few decades, the technology has evolved to use computerized digital radiography (CDR) and cone-beam technology, which involve up to 95% less radiation than traditional dental radiography. The size of the actual beam of radiation is much smaller, resulting in virtually no scatter radiation to other parts of the body.

There are also issues about using a lead apron:

- It can block parts of the image that is being taken, as in when a panoramic x-ray is being done.

- There is also the infection control issue, because although the apron can be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe, it cannot be truly sterilized, and it can be a source of spreading germs.

To put into perspective how little radiation is being emitted with dental computerized digital x-rays, here are a few examples of naturally occurring radiation in our daily lives:

- One dental x-ray emits 0.2 micro-Sieverts.

- Eating a banana exposes you to 0.1 micro Sievert. Bananas emit a small amount of radiation because they contain the radioactive isotope potassium-40. This isotope is naturally present in potassium, which is a vital nutrient for humans and is found in various foods, including bananas.

- If you take a flight from Los Angeles to NYC, 40 micro-Sieverts.

- One year living in NYC emits 70 micro-Sieverts.

This information was not readily available 30 years ago when computerized digital radiology began. Studies have been done over time, resulting in the change in protocol. At Maryann Lehmann, DDS, we follow ADA guidelines for the frequency and number of x-rays for your safety, and that will enable proper diagnosis of your dental care.  If you have any questions, just let us know. Our staff are here to be your most reliable source of dental information.