Sir, we would like to comment on the letter which purported to show the advantage of a thorough radiographic examination (BDJ 2006; 201: 689). Four panoramic radiographs of the same orthodontic patient are illustrated and the writer claims the benefit of these is that they show the development of an antral polyp.

The regulations concerning the use of radiographs, which were introduced in 2000,1 place a responsibility on the practitioner only to take radiographs when there is a clinical indication. One of the reasons for the introduction of the new regulations is that there is no minimal acceptable dose of radiation, and as such every radiographic exposure must be clinically justified.

We fully appreciate that there are a number of chance incidental findings that can be demonstrated on radiographs but in the absence of symptoms, there is little benefit to the patient for the last two radiographs shown.

Radiographic exposure, 'just in case', is not justified. There has to be a sound clinical indication. A symptom-less antral polyp is not one of them.