Dental x-rays are clear picture of the teeth, bones, gums and soft tissues around them. These are helpful in finding problems with teeth, mouth and jaw. Dental x-rays are integral part of dental treatment as they facilitate the dentists to detect damage to teeth and gums which cannot be detected in routine checkups.
There are some facts to know about dental x rays which are as follows
- When dentist suggest for dental x-ray
X- rays are scheduled according to the requirements or needs of patient. For very new patient dentist hardly suggests for the same he may keep it for the future visit if needed. If you are suffering from severe dental problem then for best oral care dentist can suggest you for dental x-ray to determine the root cause of problem.
- Kinds of x-rays
Dentists mostly use the bitewing x-rays in which patients needs to hold or bite on a piece of plastic with x-ray film in the middle. This type of x-ray is used to determine the distance between the teeth and to detect the decay that causes bacteria.
Another type is periapical x- ray which are used to get the image of entire teeth including the roots. It is used by the dentist to know about the root structure and bone level.
- What is panoramic radiograph?
In order to see the whole mouth dentist recommend for the Panoramic x- ray that is called radiograph. In this type of dental x-ray dentist can examine the entire mouth including the upper and lower teeth, jaws in the single image.
Even this type of pictures can be helpful in predicting children’s tooth development and even can detect the complications with teenagers wisdom teeth.
- Can there be need for more than one type of x-ray?
Sometime dentist seek for the assessment of different parts of moth and the x ray like bitewing and periapical x- ray show the image of smaller area and reveal decay and cavities. If dentist needs to examine these vantage points then there can be need for multiple x-ray at one time.
- Can there be any side effects of exposure to radiations?
Dentists are well trained to prescribe the x-ray only when these have no side effects for the patients. Even the frequency of these radiations is adjusted according to individuals. So the efficient dentists are aware about how to minimize the exposure to radiations.