Dentists want to give the best possible care to their patients. Thanks to Dental X-Rays. X-rays provide a lot to your dentist and hence a valuable diagnostic tool. It can detect issues that cannot be seen with an oral exam.
When your dentist detects troubles early in their development, it can save you money and avoid discomfort too.
What kinds of issues do X-rays help determine?
X-rays lets your dentist diagnose troubles in your teeth and jaws.
In adults, X-rays display:
1. Decay, specifically tiny parts of decay between teeth.
2. Decay under old fillings.
3. Bone loss in your jaw.
4. Facial bone composition.
5. Alterations in the bone or root canal because of infection.
6. Condition and position of your teeth to prepare it for dental implants, braces, dentures or any other dental processes.
7. Abscess (pus inside the gum or tooth).
8. Dry mouth.
9. Cysts and certain kinds of tumors.
10. Periodontal disease.
In children, X-rays detect:
1. If decay is generating.
2. If there is ample space in the mouth to accommodate all incoming teeth.
3. If wisdom teeth are emerging.
4. If teeth are impacted (unable to erupt through the gums).
Types of dental X-rays
There are two types of dental X-rays:
1. Intraoral (the X-ray film is inside your mouth) – They are the most common type of X-ray. Intraoral radiographs render a tremendous amount of detail. It lets your dentist check the health of your entire tooth–enamel to root.
2. Extraoral (the X-ray film is outside your mouth) – They detect dental issues in the jaw and skull and provide fewer details of your tooth.
Intraoral X-rays include:
1. Bite-wing X-rays – It shows the crown part of your teeth. Your dentist can detect any signs of decay and gum disease. It also helps your dentist during restorations and fillings.
2. Periapical X-rays – Only one tooth gets examined. It shows the complete tooth from the crown down to the root to check changes around the tooth and surrounding bone structures.
3. Occlusal X-rays – Displays almost the whole arch of your teeth on either the upper or lower jaw.
Extraoral X-rays include:
1. Panoramic X-rays – It shows your entire mouth area to identify developing and impacted teeth in the upper or lower jaw. It also helps to diagnose tumors, impaction, cysts, jaw disorders and bone irregularities.
2. Cephalometric projections – It shows one complete side of the head to help orthodontists analyze the best teeth-realignment method.
3. Dental Computed (CT) Tomography – It displays your interior structures in 3D to spot problems in facial bones like cysts, tumors and fractures.
How often should teeth be X-rayed?
This actually depends on your medical and dental history and present condition. New patients may have X-rays taken at their first dental exam. As you continue your regular checkup visits, some X-rays are taken to monitor the status of your dental health.
Are dental X-rays safe?
The amount of radiation emitted from X-rays is negligible. Now, with the advent of digital X-rays, it further reduces radiation exposure. However, always inform your dentist if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Call us at Clearview Dental and schedule an appointment with us today.
