What is a dental x-ray?
A dental x-ray is an x-ray taken in a dental office, either in the mouth of a patient or an x-ray that goes around your head. All of these are considered dental x-rays.
When do dentists take dental x-rays?
We take dental x-rays whenever we need to diagnose if the patient has any abnormalities. It helps us see what is normal and what is not, which can be shown in the x-ray.
What is the purpose of a dental x-ray?
As mentioned in the previous question, the purpose is to show the normal structure a patient has and identify any abnormalities in different tissues, whether soft tissue or hard tissue. Soft tissue includes gums, while hard tissue includes bones and teeth. We use x-rays to compare the patient's condition to normal structures to determine if there are differences.
What are the different types of dental x-rays and how are they used?
For example, there are smaller x-rays taken inside the mouth, serving different purposes, such as showing the coronal portion of the tooth, the top or bottom in the back, or the whole tooth in the front, known as a periapical x-ray. These x-rays show the tooth's structure when taken inside the mouth.
There are also x-rays where the machine goes around your head, called panoramic x-rays or 3D x-rays. These have their own purposes, such as showing how all the teeth are related within the bone structure. Panoramic x-rays can reveal the proximity to major landmarks, like nerves, which is crucial if you are going to extract a tooth.
There's also the temporomandibular joint x-ray, or TMJ x-ray, which shows whether the joint is in the correct position. Three-dimensional x-rays show slices of bone positions to determine if there are problems.
Are dental x-rays safe?
Dental x-rays are very safe today. There are machines that don't require any protection at all. You can take an x-ray and be in the room with the patient. The handheld guns that emit x-rays and the sensitivity of the sensors we have now allow for minimal radiation while providing a good image of the bone and soft tissues.
The equivalent of getting a full mouth set of x-rays is similar to sitting outside under the sun for about 10 minutes. Of course, if you are on a specific regimen due to cancer radiation, inform your dentist to determine any necessary precautions.
Can dental x-rays show periodontal disease?
Yes, dental x-rays can show the bone around the tooth. Often, we can determine whether periodontal disease is active or not just by looking at the x-rays. Other tools are also available to the dentist, which may be used in combination with x-rays to decide if the disease needs treatment or more frequent maintenance. It is up to the dentist, based on your condition, to check it with the x-rays.
Dental x-rays are usually covered by insurance. It is rare for an insurance company to deny them since they are diagnostic tools. Proper treatment requires dental x-rays to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment.
When should I schedule a dental exam?
If you haven't had an examination in the past six months, it's time to see your dentist.
Want to learn more? Call Steinway Family Dental Center at (929) 238-9944 or email [email protected]. Our team is happy to answer your questions and help schedule your visit.