Dental X-Rays – Why?
Dental X-rays are one of the most important part of your regular
dental treatment. Your dentist uses the specialized imaging technology
to look for hidden tooth decay – also called cavities – and can show
dental issues such as abscessed teeth, dental tumors, and cysts.
Additionally, your dental X-rays allow your dentist to see the
condition of prior dental procedures, such as fillings, crowns, root
canals, and bridges. And, too, your dentist will be able to look for
possible bone loss as a result of periodontal gum disease and find
hidden tartar build up.
In addition to diagnostics, your dentist may choose to perform dental
X-rays in order to check for bone density as part of preparing you for
dental implants, which require an adequate density in order to support
the implants.
What are Digital Dental X-Rays?
Like old fashioned dental X-rays, digital dental X-rays are used by
your dentist to take images of your mouth, including tooth structure and
your jaw bones. In order to take the digital images, your dentist – or a
dental technician – will place a small sensor in your mouth, carefully
positioned. This small sensor is connected to the processing computer by
a very thin wire.
Your dentist or the dental tech inputs the command for the the X-ray
machine to send a X-ray through your teeth and into the sensor,
effectively taking a photo of your tooth or teeth. The sensor captures
the resulting image and sends it through the wire to the computer. Then
your dentist will reposition the sensor and take additional digital
X-rays until all of your teeth have been X-rayed.
With digital dental X-rays, your dentist or other dental professional
is able to immediately see your teeth and jaw bones. This means that
assessment and diagnosis is virtually instantaneous.
Digital Dental X-Rays – A Great Advance
Many dentists are now using digital dental X-rays, which have many
benefits for you, as the patient. Among some of the many benefits for
you, are:
- A reduction in the amount of radiation you are exposed to during
the X-ray process.
- No need for dental film or processing chemicals in order for
your dentist to be able to see the images.
- An almost instantaneous ability to see the X-ray images,
which means, if you’re in pain, you’re not waiting for the images to
be processed and then viewed.
- Your dentist is able to use color contrast in viewing and
manipulating the X-ray image, in order to see all of the details in
the image.
When you’re looking for a dentist, you would be well served to choose
one who offers digital dental X-rays. The benefits are immense, the
process is simple and painless, and you’ll be able to see the images
when your dentist reviews them with you.
Go back to Patient Education
|