Dental X-Rays
Used as a preventive, diagnostic tool, dental x-rays, provide your dentist with a look at what's going on under the gum line. The information that these x-rays provide is used to detect any abnormalities that aren't visible during the actual exam or cleaning. Without these x-rays, your dentist will not have a complete picture of your mouth, and many problems could go undetected for a long period.
Dental x-rays often 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
X-rays help your dentist detect these dental problems at their earliest stages, which saves you time, money, and pain in the long run! The earlier a condition is treated, the less expensive the treatment is and the more positive the outcome.
Are dental x-rays safe?
Our everyday environment exposes us to natural radiation all the time. Standard dental x-rays, using photographic film from a full-mouth series of x-rays emits the same level of radiation that a person receives on a daily basis from natural sources.
The low-level of radiation emitted by dental x-rays is considered safe, but we still take precautions to minimize how much exposure our patients receive. Using lead apron shields to cover the patients' bodies enable us to keep our patients' radiation exposure at the lowest level possible. In addition, our state-of-the-art digital x-rays reduce exposure by up to 90 percent when compared to traditional film methods.
How often should dental x-rays be taken?
Based on your medical and dental history, as well as your age, risk for disease and current symptoms, your dentist and hygienist will be able to recommend the best time frame for dental x-rays. In the end, the frequency of these x-rays will depend largely on your individual needs.
We recommend a full-mouth series of x-rays for all our new patients, so we have a better idea of their current dental health. The full-mouth series is typically good for three to five years. Bite-wing x-rays, on the other hand, should be taken once or twice a year during regular check ups. They show what’s happening to small areas of your mouth.
Learn more about dental x-rays - Contact your Salem dentists at Oak Park Family Dental.
