The Importance of Dental X-Rays
What is a dental X-ray?
Like a regular X-ray, a dental X-ray is an X-ray of your tooth structure and the bone that supports and surrounds your tooth. When we take a dental X-ray, it could be a single X-ray looking through the bone and the internal structure of the tooth.
Another kind of dental X-ray is the bigger one we call a panoramic X-ray. It goes around your face, allowing us to look at your joint, which is called the TMJ, or temporomandibular joint. It's the jaw joint that we look at, which actually shows us all of your teeth. This is typically done in younger kids or when we are looking for wisdom teeth.
When do dentists take X-rays?
There are different scenarios where the dentist will take X-rays.
Let's start from the very first one: if you're establishing yourself as a new patient at a dental office, we will take your full mouth X-rays to evaluate your entire mouth. We take X-rays at that time.
The second scenario would be if you have an emergency, in which case we will take the X-ray of that tooth or area of your mouth. In other circumstances, if kids are having pain in their wisdom teeth, we will take an X-ray to evaluate them.
Other common X-rays are taken during your maintenance visits. We call them checkup X-rays, typically taken during regular maintenance visits to ensure there are no cavities or issues with your bone around the root of the tooth. Those are called checkup X-rays. These are some of the common types of X-rays a patient will get when they see their dentist.
What is the purpose of a dental X-ray?
The purpose of the dental X-ray is for us, as your dentist, to look underneath what is happening in the tooth and bone. The visible part of the tooth in your mouth is just one part, which we, as clinicians, can see, and you can see too. However, part of the tooth resides in the dental bone or jawbone and is covered by gum. We cannot see what is going on underneath there with our eyes.
To ensure there's no infection, bone loss, or other problems, we take dental X-rays to evaluate that part of the tooth, which is crucial as it holds your tooth in place in the jawbone. We look at the condition of your jawbone, the condition of the nerve inside the tooth, and how the roots of the tooth appear. That is the reason and purpose why we take X-rays, to ensure there's nothing going on, no diseases or conditions that could lead to other problems. We use the X-ray for evaluation.
What are different types of dental X-rays and why are they used?
The very first X-ray, if you're establishing yourself as a new patient, is what we call a full mouth X-ray or full set of X-rays. We take individual X-rays of each tooth or a couple of teeth together to evaluate the root, bone, and surrounding structures of the tooth. This is called a full mouth series, involving individual X-rays of individual teeth and smaller X-rays that show in between the teeth more clearly. We call them bitewing X-rays. This is a complete package taken when you're a new patient.
Then there are individual X-rays. If someone has a dental emergency, such as a broken tooth or pain, depending on the examination, if there's one or two teeth involved, we take a detailed X-ray of that part of the mouth. Those are individual X-rays.
The third kind of X-rays, as mentioned before, are checkup or bitewing X-rays, showing the half of the tooth to diagnose cavities between the teeth. These X-rays are taken as a package when you come in as a new patient and regularly during maintenance visits to ensure no cavities are developing between the teeth.
The other kind of X-ray is the panoramic X-ray, which, as the name suggests, gives a panoramic view of the jawbone and all the teeth. This X-ray is typically taken in younger children and adults to evaluate how teeth are developing. It ensures there are no anomalies or problems, and it's used for evaluating wisdom teeth as well. This X-ray provides information on the nerve of the tooth and the positioning of wisdom teeth. Other X-rays are taken for orthodontic purposes, including side views and occlusal views for orthodontic purposes.
Are dental X-rays safe?
Yes, dental X-rays are safe. A patient is not undergoing X-rays every day. Additionally, with the conversion to digital X-rays, which most dentists in the United States are using, the frequency and radiation amount have significantly decreased compared to non-digital X-rays. There's no need to worry about the safety of dental X-rays due to minimal exposure.
Think of it this way: when we're outside in the sun, using electronics, phones, or microwaves, we're exposed to much more radiation than from full mouth X-rays. While I understand concerns about radiation, it's a very low dose compared to what we encounter daily, even from some foods or walking in the sun. Modern dental X-rays are very safe. We conduct these X-rays periodically to prevent the development of conditions or infections, which are much more harmful. Dental X-rays are safe.
Can dental X-rays show periodontal disease?
Yes, dental X-rays can show certain signs of periodontal disease. We look for bone loss, which accompanies periodontal disease. The only way to see that bone loss is through X-rays.
During an examination, we identify certain signs and symptoms of periodontal disease clinically, but X-rays reveal bone loss and changes in the periodontal ligament, which holds a tooth inside the bone. Dental X-rays provide valuable information on periodontal disease.
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (603) 634-9445 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.