Dental X-Rays: All You Need to Know Before Visiting Your Dentist
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admin | July 26, 2021
Dentists always put effort into rendering the best possible care to their patients. For that, all thanks to Dental X-Rays. Now, dentists can identify issues easily that cannot be detected with an oral exam.
When your dentist diagnoses your troubles beforehand, it can save you money and even avoid discomfort.
What kinds of issues do X-rays help determine?
In adults:
- Decay, generally tiny portions of decay between teeth.
- Decay beneath old fillings.
- Bone loss in the jaw.
- Facial bone arrangement.
- Alterations are made in the bone or root canal because of an infection.
- Condition and area of your teeth to make it ready for dental implants, braces, dentures, or any other dental methods.
- Abscess.
- Dry mouth.
- Cysts and particular types of tumors.
- Periodontal disease.
In children:
- If decay emerges.
- Whether there is sufficient space inside your kid’s mouth to accommodate every incoming tooth.
- If wisdom teeth are erupting.
- Whether teeth are impacted (not being able to break through the gums).
Types of dental X-rays
There are two kinds of dental X-rays:
- Intraoral (the X-ray film is inside your mouth) –Intraoral radiographs offer a tremendous amount of detail. Your dentist can examine the condition of your entire tooth starting from the enamel to the root.
- Extraoral (the X-ray film is outside your mouth) - They display dental issues in the jaw and skull and render little details of your tooth.
Intraoral X-rays include:
- Bite-wing X-rays – It displays the crown section of your teeth. Your dentist can easily spot decay or gum disease. It also assists during restorations and fillings.
- Periapical X-rays- Only one tooth gets analyzed. Your dentist can see the whole tooth from the crown down to the root.
- Occlusal X-rays - Displays almost the complete arch of your teeth on either the upper or lower jaw.
Extraoral X-rays include:
- Panoramic X rays- This shows your whole mouth to detect developing and impacted teeth in the upper or lower jaw. It also assists to diagnose tumors, impaction, cysts, jaw disorders, and bone irregularities.
- Cephalometric projections – Shows one complete side of the head. It helps orthodontists decide the best teeth-realignment procedure.
- Dental Computed (CT) Tomography- Displays your interior framework in 3D to spot issues in facial bones like cysts, tumors, and fractures.
How often should you X-ray your teeth?
Generally, this depends on your medical and dental history and present health status. If you’re a new patient, your dentist may recommend X-rays for your first oral exam. Your dentist may also recommend dental X-rays to monitor the status of your dental health during regular visits.
Are dental X-rays safe?
The level of radiation emitted from X-rays is very negligible. Today, digital X-rays further minimizes radiation exposure. However, if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, don’t forget to inform your dentist.
Get the care you deserve!
You can get in touch with Grand Central Dentistry if you want to receive the best treatment for your dental issues in Conroe, TX. Our Dentist can diagnose your oral problems better with dental X-rays and make sure that you keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime. Schedule an appointment today and we’re happy to help you.