X-RAYS

Dental X-rays are essential, preventive, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information that is not visible during a regular dental exam. 

Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. X-rays expose hidden structures (such as wisdom teeth), reveal preliminary signs of cavities, and show fractures and bone loss.

Without X-rays, problem areas can go undetected. Detecting and treating dental problems at an early stage can save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort and your teeth!

Dental X-rays may reveal:

  • Abscesses or cysts

  • Bone loss

  • Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors

  • Decay between the teeth

  • Developmental abnormalities

  • Poor tooth and root positions

  • Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line

 

How often should dental X-rays be taken?

A full mouth series of dental X-rays is recommended for new patients, which is usually good for three to five years. Bite-wing X-rays (of top and bottom teeth biting together) are generally recommended once or twice a year to detect any new dental concerns.

Ultimately, the frequency of dental X-rays depends on each patient’s individual needs. Your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend necessary X-rays based upon the review of your medical and dental history, a dental exam, signs and symptoms, your age and risk of disease.

PANORAMIC X-RAYS

Panoramic X-rays are wrap-around photographs of the face and teeth and offer a view that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. Panoramic X-rays are generally only taken on an as-needed basis.  

A panoramic X-ray is not conducted to give a detailed view of each tooth, but rather to provide a better view of the sinus areas, nasal areas and mandibular nerve. Panoramic X-rays are preferable to bitewing X-rays when a patient is in extreme pain, and when a sinus problem is suspected to have caused dental problems. 

Panoramic X-rays are used to:

  • Assess patients with an extreme gag reflex

  • Evaluate the progression of TMJ

  • Expose cysts and abnormalities

  • Expose impacted teeth

  • Expose jawbone fractures

  • Plan treatment (full and partial dentures, braces and implants)

  • Reveal gum disease and cavities

ARE DENTAL X-RAYS SAFE?

We are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment. Digital X-rays reduce radiation 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental X-rays.

Even though digital X-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered very safe, dentists still take necessary precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation. These precautions include only taking those X-rays that are necessary and using lead apron shields to protect the body.