How many x-rays/cbct scan normal in a month?

[Du_deleted]

Have lower jaw pain, under the ear pain for 2 months. I also have swelling in the jaw line for 2 months. Been to many dentist and taken multiple xrays. No definite diagnosis yet. My dentist took CT scan, panaromic and bite wing, periapical x-ray. Went to another dentist for second opinion. They also took many x-rays. No one is willing to see the x-ray images which I have got from previous office. So this makes more exposure to x-ray images. I have been to oral surgeon and he took CT/pan xray before the wisdom tooth removal. I removed it ten days back. Went for a follow up. Took another CT scan to check if everything is ok. So, totally many CT scan,pan x-ray and bite wings and periapical xrays in a month. I feel so nervous about it. Is it harmful?
My OMFS told me to go to TMJ specialist to check out. here all offices take own x-rays. So, info go to TMJ specialist, they will take another x-ray or cbct scan. So all these images within a month. Is it harmful?? Please help.

i didn't injure anywhere in jaw.had some soft foods chewed more than usual on 3rd week of may. Next day jaw swelling and pain under ear. No other injury happened. I hear popping and snapping sound in the jaw while opening the mouth and sore pain inside the ear.

 

[Dr M]

Good day,

Although modern radio-graphs and scans limit your exposure to harmful radiation, it is never a good idea to get too many. It sounds strange to me that the other dentists/specialists don't want to review your previous records, especially if they are recent. You are being overcharged in my opinion, especially if the scans they request are the same and of the same region. I would suggest not going for new scans/radio-graphs if you already have recent records of the required regions. This is your right as a patient.

Kind regards,

 

[Du_deleted]

Good day,

Although modern radio-graphs and scans limit your exposure to harmful radiation, it is never a good idea to get too many. It sounds strange to me that the other dentists/specialists don't want to review your previous records, especially if they are recent. You are being overcharged in my opinion, especially if the scans they request are the same and of the same region. I would suggest not going for new scans/radio-graphs if you already have recent records of the required regions. This is your right as a patient.

Kind regards,

Thank you so much @Dr M.
I am in the USA. Here every office say that we need new x-rays. They say that, We don't take other office x-rays. So, i have to get another new one there.

It happened in all the visits. Since my issue doesn't get any definite answer yet, I am going for different doctors to get proper diagnosis.

And got another question doctor.
I have lower jaw pain under the ear with swelling for past 2 months. Does it indicate some issue in the parotid gland? How to know if any issue or swelling ,pain causing from those glands? Who can diagnose that?and what imaging is required?I have taken pan, cbct in my OMFS office. But he didn't say anything about parotid gland. I didn't ask him too. I just learned about it now. So, I can't go back to his office again to ask this.

How to know if it's from parotid gland?

 

[Dr M]

Good day,

I suggest bringing up your parotid gland question during your next consultation. Most likely the CT scan would have given an indication if additional tests are needed in order to test the parotid gland for any pathology or saliva related issue.
Do you have any radio-graphs or CT-scans that you might attach?
Difficult to give an opinion without more information on the issue.

 

[Du_deleted]

I have sent you a direct message @Dr M .

https://www.dentistry-forums.com/conversations/does-it-look-like-from-tmj-issue-or-tooth-crack-30-or-any-glands-issue.360/#convMessage-956

Attached the images in that. Hope you missed this message earlier.

 

[Du_deleted]

Good day,

I suggest bringing up your parotid gland question during your next consultation. Most likely the CT scan would have given an indication if additional tests are needed in order to test the parotid gland for any pathology or saliva related issue.
Do you have any radio-graphs or CT-scans that you might attach?
Difficult to give an opinion without more information on the issue.

 

[Du_deleted]

Attached the images I have @Dr M. Any thoughts?

 

[Dr M]

Hey there,

Can't make out any big abnormalities on the x-ray.
I think you will have to stick to seeing the specialist and then go according to what he suggests.
Very difficult diagnoses.

 

[Du_deleted]

Hey there,

Can't make out any big abnormalities on the x-ray.
I think you will have to stick to seeing the specialist and then go according to what he suggests.
Very difficult diagnoses.

Which specialist do you mean @Dr M ?
I can understand it's difficult to diagnose. Since I have neck pain, i thought something could be related to the glands or lymph nodes.

 

[Dr M]

I would start with an oral surgeon and maybe consider getting an ENT opinion as well. Especially if the neck pain persists

 

[Du_deleted]

I would start with an oral surgeon and maybe consider getting an ENT opinion as well. Especially if the neck pain persists

Thank you.
I don't know which country you are in.
I am in the USA. I have been to OMFS here. He extracted my upper wisdom tooth 2 weeks back. He did mention that it's not his expertise and gave me a referral to TMJ specialist.
I will check with TMJ specialist. Hope they will be the right person.

 

[Dr M]

Good idea.
If the TMJ specialist can't give an answer, consider going to an ENT as well.
I am in South Africa, and we have similar specialists here. I agree with the initial referral to a TMJ specialist from your OMFS.

 

[Du_deleted]

Good idea.
If the TMJ specialist can't give an answer, consider going to an ENT as well.
I am in South Africa, and we have similar specialists here. I agree with the initial referral to a TMJ specialist from your OMFS.

Thank you so much. Appreciate it.