Understanding the Role of Dental X-Rays in Diagnosis and Treatment
What role do Dental X-rays have in diagnosing and treating dental problems?
Dental X-rays help in taking pictures of your teeth, the nearby bone, and the soft tissue. It enables one to look for problems with the mouth, teeth, and jaw. X-rays will reveal open cavities, hidden tooth structures like wisdom teeth, and unnoticeable bone loss. After dental services, a dental X-ray is taken for follow-up.
What is the importance of Dental x-rays?
X-rays, commonly referred to as radiographs, provide your dentist access to the areas within and between your teeth. Because they provide your dentist with a complete picture, dental X-rays are crucial. They aid dentists in observing the health of your teeth, as well as the roots, the position of your jaw, and the make-up of your facial bones, and also for cosmetic dentistry. They will assist your dentist in identifying and treating dental issues before them getting worse or more complex.
What are the kinds of dental X-rays?
There are numerous different kinds of dental X-rays, but the most popular ones are bitewing, periapical, and panoramic radiography. To find early indications of decay between rear teeth or bicuspids (teeth in front of the molars), bitewing X-rays are taken by our trained staff at Montgomery Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Rockville. Periapical X-rays help pinpoint a single or a pair of teeth. Using a panoramic X-ray, the entire mouth is visible in one picture. It is obtained from the exterior of your mouth and can be used to spot problems including cysts, jaw problems, or anomalies in the bones.
Occlusal radiographs, cephalometric radiographs, and cone-beam computed tomography are examples of additional radiographs.
Digital imaging
Your dentist may already be using or soon plan to use a modern dental X-ray method known as Digital imaging. The X-rays are sent straight to a computer where they can be seen on screen, saved, or printed out rather than being developed on film in a dark room. Using this innovative technology has several advantages:
Normal X-rays use radiation and this is relatively less in digital imaging.
The images can be seen instantly without having to wait for them to develop. It saves time.
The images can be magnified and enhanced on the computer. It helps the dentist to locate the problem area and also understand the kind of problem that the patient has.
How Often Do You Need X-Rays?
The state of everyone’s teeth differs. People with gum or teeth ailments might need X-rays to be done after six months. Those who do not go for regular dental treatments might need it once every few years. For new patients, the dentist might ask for a panoramic X-Ray to understand the situation of your teeth better.
Conclusion
Always choose to prevent rather than treat. Regular flossing and twice-daily brushing can stop tooth decay and reduce the need for X-rays.
Having a dental X-ray taken could not be enjoyable. But bear in mind that they are a crucial tool for quickly identifying tooth decay and other dental issues, saving you money and discomfort while preserving your beautiful smile.
