X-rays are an essential part of routine dental appointments. But have you ever wondered why dental X-rays are so common when X-rays of the rest of the body aren’t?
Let’s take a look at the importance of dental X-rays:
What X-rays Are Used For
You might have gotten an X-ray done after an accident to check for broken bones. So, why do your teeth need X-rays even if you’ve been accident-free and otherwise healthy?
It’s because signs of tooth decay or dental disease and the damage they can cause to your teeth are not always obvious until it’s too late! X-rays help your dentist to see new cavities or inflammation occurring inside of your teeth, and these issues can be treated as early on as possible.
Dental X-rays are very safe when administered once or twice a year, and are especially important for youth with developing teeth and jaws, as they can be used to determine if orthodontics or extractions are needed.
How X-rays Work
The most common dental X-rays are intraoral X-rays, which are taken with X-ray film or imaging devices inside the mouth. This gives your dentist a lot of detail about the teeth and jawbone.
Most patients have likely had bitewing X-rays performed. These X-rays are ideal for showing entire teeth from the crown to the supporting bone in the jaw. They’re particularly useful for detecting changes in bone density caused by disease or decay and for determining the proper fit for crowns and fillings.
Technology for X-rays has improved and is better than ever! Digital X-rays reduce the already low radiation risk associated with this type of imaging, and allow your dentist to quickly access your images, enhance or enlarge the images, and compare current images to previous X-rays.