 |
Does
NWR accept insurance?
NWR does not accept insurance assignment in lieu of payment.
NWR is not a Medicare provider. You will receive an itemized
receipt which can be submitted to your insurance provider
for reimbursement, according to the terms of your policy.
We accept Visa and Mastercard.
Why does my doctor need x-rays? Photos?
Radiographs ( x-rays) and photos are important tools for
diagnosis and long term monitoring of your dental health.
There are many diseases and dental problems that may not
be apparent from a physical examination. Radiographs show
developmental stages of growth, and can help plan early
intervention to change the course of some malocclusions
which could be serious or require complex treatment if addressed
later. Radiographs provide basic information about the number,
size and position of teeth. Radiographs can document bone
loss as a result of periodontal disease; fractures and many
other hidden problems. Photographs document tooth position
and relationships, as well as important esthetic considerations
such as color, and lip support.
While NWR technicians can show you the x-rays and photographs,
they are not licensed to interpret them. Please save your
questions about the content for your doctor.
How long will it take? (Extra time for
some people)
In our labs, each patient is cared for as an individual.
The prescription from your doctor may require imaging procedures
that can range anywhere from ten minutes to an hour. If
there are reasons for us to plan extra time, such as a disability
or medical condition, or even anxiety, please let us know.
We are glad to accommodate.
Is this safe? How much x-ray will I receive?
Our goal is to provide the state of the art equipment and
practice the highest standard of radiation safety possible
to protect patients from receiving unnecessary radiation.
The amount of radiation received from a dental x-ray exam
is small and is equivalent to about 19 days of exposure
to naturally occurring environmental radiation. Lead shielding
of parts of the body not being imaged is routine at NWR.
The percentage of reexposure is extremely low. If necessary,
reexposure is based on a balance of the importance of the
information to risk to the patient. A summary of the amount
of exposure administered is available at your request.
Comparisons of Common Sources
and amounts of Radiation
Activity/source amount of radiation
received: |
| Bitewings
(4 films) |
0.038
milisievert (mSv) |
| Full Mouth
Survey (19 films) |
0.150
mSv |
| Lower
GI series |
4.060
mSv |
|
Average US citizen living in average location, natural
background, annual |
3.6 mSv |
| People
whose occupations involve some exposure to radiation |
50.0
mSv maximum whole body dose allowed |
The sievert is a unit of measure used to express an effective
dose. An effective dose allows some comparison of radiation
sources that expose the entire body (such as natural background
radiation) versus those that only expose the teeth.
Does anything hurt?
Although there may be some slight discomfort due to stretching,
our technicians have been trained in special techniques
to make your imaging session as comfortable as possible.
How long before the doctor has my x-rays
and photos?
Two to three business days. Please allow adequate time for
your records to reach your doctor, and for him/her to review
them prior to your appointment. Treatment planning can be
one of the most important parts of your care.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, appointments can be made at any of our labs.
Can I have copies of all my records?
All x-rays and photographs are part of your clinical records
and are the property of your referring doctor. Please contact
your doctor with any questions you have, or to arrange for
copies or transfers.
Can I bring my children?
We have stringent radiation safety routines due to the fact
that there are different types of x-ray equipment in our
labs, and that simultaneous exposures are being made. We
ask that only the patient and the technician enter these
possible exposure areas for the safety of everyone. In some
cases, one parent may accompany an anxious child. Children
must remain in the waiting area under supervision. In consideration
of other patients and our staff, please do not expect to
leave children unattended.
Can I send my child alone?
Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian,
or their written consent must be presented. We will not
perform the x-ray exams without this consent, or without
the signed prescription from your doctor.
This seems scary, what will happen?
We will explain each step of the procedures ordered by your
doctor. If you have some concern regarding the content of
your prescription, please review it with your doctor, so
you can give your informed consent when you come in.
Why do I have to remove my jewelry?
Jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, hair clips, and piercings
must be removed before we can proceed. These items would
appear in the x-rays and would cover some important diagnostic
information. We may ask you to remove any retainers and/or
removable partial dentures, if requested by your doctor.
|
 |
