Dentists no longer rely solely on physical and visual examinations of your teeth. Nowadays, they use dental x-rays to spot issues that even lie beneath the jawbone. X-rays are essential before any treatments can be planned to address oral health problems. Dentists and orthodontists request x-rays for wisdom teeth, crooked teeth, suspected impacted teeth, and various other dental issues.
These x-rays provide crucial information for evaluations, allowing dental professionals to assess the condition of your teeth and their roots, as well as examine the jaw and facial bones. Orthodontists, for instance, require dental x-rays to make recommendations for teeth alignment and often advise getting these x-rays before and after applying braces.
Depending on what they need to check, dental x-ray procedures can differ:
– Standard dental x-rays capture parts of your teeth and mouth, revealing tooth decay and gum problems.
– Other x-rays show the entire tooth structure and are done regularly to catch any changes in the root and surrounding bone structures.
– Full-mouth survey x-rays create images of the whole mouth, showing all teeth positions, including impacted teeth.
– Certain x-rays monitor the development of the tooth arch in children, tracking the upper and lower teeth structure.
Advanced dental treatments often rely on dental CT scans, 3D, and digital x-rays. Dental imaging has become a mandatory step before diagnosing and planning treatment for your teeth issues. Although it might seem daunting, it’s reassuring to know exactly what’s causing your toothache, even if your teeth appear fine.
However, dental x-rays aren’t something you’ll get every time you visit your dentist. Factors like age, oral health, symptoms, and dental history determine how often you need them. If it’s your first x-ray, don’t worry. Dental professionals are trained to make the procedure as stress-free as possible, even enjoyable for kids.
A licensed dental radiologist or x-ray technician will handle your x-ray. Their job is to capture the necessary angle as prescribed by your dentist while minimizing your radiation exposure and ensuring the image quality for diagnostics or treatments.
While you are exposed to radiation during an x-ray, it’s medically safe, even for children. Dental imaging uses very low radiation to produce images, with digital x-rays using even less radiation than traditional x-ray films. Typically, your technician or dentist will place a lead bib or apron on you to shield you from radiation. However, if you’re pregnant, it’s best to avoid x-rays due to the risk radiation poses to the fetus.
Your technician will instruct you on how to position yourself for the x-ray, based on the dentist’s assessment of your condition. Issues like tooth decay or abscesses that aren’t visible during a regular exam can be detected via x-ray. It’s important to follow the technician’s instructions to ensure the desired images are captured; otherwise, you might have to redo the x-ray.
Your radiographic assistant may need to adjust your position and ask you to hold still for a few seconds to get the best image. Dental x-rays have become a standard part of dental treatment processes. The x-ray results will help your dentist address your concerns and plan your treatment effectively. So, there’s no need to be apprehensive about getting a dental x-ray. A health professional will be by your side to ensure minimal radiation exposure and a comfortable experience.