Peek Inside Your Teeth Through Dental X-rays

Dental problems are like icebergs! There is more to what is visible through the naked eye. This can mislead dentists due to wrong diagnosis. To overcome these challenges, dental X-rays were introduced.

Northeast Philadelphia dentist specializes in all forms of dental X-rays to help come to a definite diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis is crucial to designing an appropriate treatment plan to help enhance your oral health and quality of life.

What are dental X-rays? How do they work?

Dental X-rays, also called radiographs, are internal images of your teeth and jaws. These are excellent diagnostic tools that help dentists examine the structures that are not visible during a routine checkup, like your alveolar bone, nerves, and teeth roots. 

Dental X-rays use electromagnetic radiation to capture images of your mouth. These radiation beams travel through your soft tissues and create images of the teeth and bone. 

What can dental X-rays diagnose?

Dental X-rays can help diagnose a wide range of oral health problems, such as

  • Dental cavities, especially if the decay involves small areas  between the teeth
  • Secondary caries beneath existing restorations
  • Bone loss in your jaw
  • Areas of infection
  • The exact position or unerupted or impacted teeth (especially third molars)
  • Tooth abscess
  • Cysts and tumors (abnormal tissue growth)

Dental X-rays also help determine your eligibility for treatments like:

  • Dental implants
  • Braces
  • Dentures

Furthermore, dentists can use X-rays to assess the healing process after dental procedures like bone grafting and root canal therapy. 

What are the types of dental X-rays?

There are several types of dental X-rays, which include:

  • Intraoral X-rays
    • Bitewing
    • Periapical
    • occlusal
  • Extraoral  X-rays
    • Panoramic
    • Cephalometric
    • Cone beam CT scan

Are dental X-rays safe? How often should they be taken?

The amount of radiation exposure from a full mouth series of X-rays is equal to the amount that you may receive in a single day from natural sources. This could be through your smartphones, computers, or television screens. Dental X-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered safe. Dentists take necessary precautions to limit your exposure to radiation during dental X-rays through:

  • Lead aprons to shield your body 
  • Modern and fast films to cut down the exposure time 

The frequency of dental X-rays depends on your individual dental health needs. You will be advised an X-ray only if it is necessary based on the review of your medical and dental history, oral examination, symptoms, age considerations, and risk factors for the disease. 

Final note

Dental X-rays are essential diagnostic tools for proper oral health and maintenance. These are safe and effective and pave the way for an accurate diagnosis of dental problems. 

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