July 04, 2023 4 min read
Dental radiographs, also known as X-rays and show pictures of your teeth that dentists can use to monitor the health of your mouth. Low levels of radiation create an image of the patient's teeth and gums. X-rays enable dentists to determine problems or issues, such as tooth decay and much more.
X-rays can also tell whether there is bone loss or benign or malignant tumors. Although it can depend on the health and age that the individual is in, X-rays are typically taken every year. However, children might require more frequent X-rays to keep track of their growing adult teeth.
Dental X-rays are a standard procedure that’s usually performed for one of the following reasons:
Do you know What types of X-rays are used in dentistry? There are various types of dental X-rays that dentists use to obtain detailed images of the teeth, jaw, and surrounding structures.
These X-rays can be categorized into two main types:
Intraoral X-rays involve placing the film or sensor inside the patient's mouth. They provide detailed images of specific areas of the mouth, focusing on individual teeth or sections.
There are three common types of intraoral X-rays:
Extraoral X-rays, on the other hand, involve placing the film or sensor outside the patient's mouth. These X-rays provide an overview of the entire oral and facial structures.
Some common types of extra oral X-rays include:
Panoramic X-rays:Panoramic X-rays capture a wide view of the entire mouth, including the upper and lower teeth, jaw joints, nerves, sinuses, and supporting bone. Dentists use these X-rays to identify existing oral health issues and evaluate the overall condition of the mouth.
Cephalometric X-rays:Cephalometric X-rays capture the side view of the patient's head. They help dentists assess the position of the teeth in relation to the jaw. Orthodontists often utilize cephalometric X-rays to plan and monitor orthodontic treatments.
Cone beam CT scan:This advanced imaging technique uses computed tomography (CT) to generate 3D X-ray images of the teeth, jaws, joints, nerves, and sinuses. Cone beam CT scans are highly detailed and useful for detecting tumors and facial fractures and assessing the dimensions and position of the jawbone for dental implant placement.
Discover More:What Is Dentophobia Dental Anxiety
Taking dental X-rays is a routine procedure performed by dentists to assess the health of your teeth and gums. Here is a brief overview of the process:
Benefit: Detects Small Damages - Dental radiography enables dentists to identify small amounts of decay in hard-to-see areas, preventing the problems from escalating.
Risk: Causes Tumors To Develop - Exposure to radiation in dental radiography can potentially damage cells and lead to tumor development.
Benefit: Finds Bone Infections - Dental radiography can be used to detect infections in the jaw bones.
Risk: Causes Pregnancy Problems - Dental X-rays carry a small risk to developing fetuses, which is why caution is exercised when performing them on pregnant women.
Faqs
What can dental X-rays detect?
Dental X-rays can detect a range of dental conditions and issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, infections, bone loss, impacted teeth, and oral tumors.
Who can take dental X-rays?
Dental X-rays are typically taken by qualified dental professionals, such as dentists, dental hygienists, or dental radiographers.Your mouth's health depends upon a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria. Load up your mouth and restore its vitality. With seven powerful strains, including BLIS K12 and BLIS