what are dental x-rays?
X-rays are called radiographs. They give your dentist the ability to see between and inside your teeth. This includes as well the tip of your roots and bone underneath your gums – areas that are not normally visible to the naked eye. A visual examination by the dentist isn’t necessarily the best way to determine a patient’s oral health. That’s why thanks to to dental x-rays, dentists can now accurately diagnose and treat dental issues before they worsen. Here are some things that dentists look out for when using x-rays:
- Cavities
- Tooth roots
- The condition of the bony area around the tooth
- Presence of any periodontal disease
- The status of developing teeth
How Often do I need Dental X-Rays?
If you’re a new dental patient, the dentist may advise taking a full series of x-rays or panoramic image to assess your current oral health state, and use this as a baseline going forward. As you continue your regular checkup visits, fewer x-rays are needed to monitor the status of your oral health.
Are Dental X-Rays Safe?
Currently most dental clinics use digital x-rays that give out high quality images, a better diagnosis and most importantly less radiation exposure. Digital x-rays reduce radiation by as much as 80%. Beside that, images from digital x-rays are ready in a matter of seconds. That way you can get a quick update on your oral health and at the same time go through a pain-free, non invasive treatment.