Every so often, a visit to the dentist's office involves having your teeth X-rayed. Dental X-rays, or dental radiographs, are pictures of your teeth that allow the dentist to identify dental caries, wisdom teeth growth or other potential dental problems that may require treatment or prevention. There are many different types of X-rays, including digital dental X-rays, which allows the images to be sent directly to a computer rather than be developed in a dark room. Digital dental X-rays can be stored on a computer and provide a clearer, more accurate image of your teeth.
Understanding the basics of dental X-rays can help you get a better grasp on the significance they have on the health of your teeth. Below, learn more about dental X-rays and how often you should get them.
How X-Rays Work:
X-rays are waves of energy that can enter solid objects and, depending on the density of the object, either be absorbed or pass through the material. The denser the materials, the more the X-rays are absorbed. Because tooth and bone are very dense, they absorb X-rays and appear in radiographic images, while cheeks and gums are less dense and appear as black space in an X-ray image.
Why Get Dental X-Rays:
Dentists use dental X-rays to understand the structure of your mouth and jaw and to identify any problems. Simply examining the exterior of your teeth is not always enough to spot potential cavities, disease or other concerns that can get worse over time. Dental X-rays show areas of decay that can lead to dental caries, cracks in fillings, nerve infection, bone loss, and even abnormalities such as cysts or cancer. If you are planning on having dental work such as implants or orthodontic treatment, X-rays can help your dentist prepare an appropriate treatment plan. Children receive X-rays so that dentists can monitor the growth and development of their teeth and jaw, allowing dentists to catch potential problems early and prevent future problems.
When to Get Dental X-Rays:
The frequency in which patients receive dental X-rays depends on a number of factors, including age, dental history and lifestyle. Children are very likely to develop dental caries, so it is often recommended that they get X-rays every six months. If you have periodontal disease, you may need frequent X-rays to spot continuing signs of bone loss. People who smoke or consume large amounts of sugary beverages should also receive X-rays on a regular basis, as they are at an increased risk of decay and gum disease. However, many people may only need X-rays ever two to five years. To find out about your specific case, speak with your dentist.
In many cases dental x-rays are critical for proper diagnosis and resolution of the problem. However X-rays must not be done very often.
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