Final answer:
A patient's full-mouth series of x-ray views includes multiple angles for a comprehensive dental assessment, with advancements in technology reducing radiation exposure. Use of x-rays in dentistry is carefully balanced against the benefits they provide, and diagnostic doses are kept to a minimum.
Step-by-step explanation:
The number of x-ray views that makes up a patient's full-mouth series depends on the specific dental diagnostic needs but typically includes multiple angles of each tooth to provide comprehensive coverage. X-ray technology in dentistry has been refined to include proper shielding and the use of fast films to reduce radiation exposure to the patient. For example, a lead apron is placed over the patient, and the x-ray tube is surrounded by shielding to limit exposure only to the tissue being imaged. The technician reducing their exposure stands a few meters away behind a lead-lined door with a lead glass window. Despite the use of x-rays for diagnostic purposes, medical professionals carefully balance the risk versus the benefit, and diagnostic doses of radiation are kept low except when necessary for accurate diagnosis.