How Should Panoramic X-Ray Aprons Be Worn?

Panoramic X-rays are commonly used by dentists. The X-ray beam passes around and behind your head. Due to technological improvements over the last 50 years, lead aprons are no longer considered necessary to protect the rest of your body from radiation exposure during these dental X-rays. There is very little difference between radiation exposure to the rest of the body with or without an panoramic X-ray apron. Dentists may still drape you with a lead apron for peace of mind, reports the Health Physics Society (HPS). Dental offices typically carry a one-size-fits-all X-ray apron; hospitals may carry a variety of different aprons.

Instructions

• 1

  Dentist's offer lead aprons for peace of mind.

  Choose a wrap-around X-ray apron if you have the option. A coat-like lead apron can reduce radiation exposure to the bone marrow in your spine and other vital organs, reports HPS. Another recommended option is a combination of vest and skirt leaded aprons.

• 2

  Panoramic x-ray beams come from behind.

  Make sure the lead apron drapes your back, advises Allan Farman, author of "Panoramic Radiology: Seminars on Maxillofacial Imaging and Interpretation." The panoramic X-ray beam comes from behind, so the apron should cover the back of a dental patient rather than the front.

• 3

  The apron should be smoothed over the shoulders to prevent imaging problems.

  Smooth the lead apron over the shoulders. Kinks in the shoulder area leave artifacts on the panoramic X-ray, warns Farman, and a bad image may require that you undergo a second round of X-rays.

• 4

  Ask your dentist to drape your reproductive organs if you are of child-bearing age.

  Ask that a lead apron be placed over your reproductive organs. Some practitioners still recommend covering the reproductive organs of pregnant women and women of child-bearing age, and many parents worry about the effects of radiation on their children's reproductive organs.