What is a dental X-ray?
A dental X-ray is an image that shows the condition of one, several, or all of the teeth in the oral cavity. An X-ray machine and a negative on which the image appears are used.
Purpose of teeth X-rays
In the same way that an X-ray is taken on your arm if you have fallen on it, or on your waist if you have pain that cannot be clarified, an X-ray taken on a part of the oral cavity is intended to provide clarity on what exactly the problem is.
You can use them to detect dental problems early and then proceed to easier, shorter, painless, and less expensive treatment. As a result, it is critical not to underestimate the importance of dental photographs in your health, as well as the advice of the dental specialist who examines you.
Types of dental X-rays
There are two types of X-rays that are commonly taken:
1. Segment / sector dental X-ray
It is performed when a patient has a complaint about a specific tooth or when the dentist believes the tooth may have a hidden problem. Pain may occur for no apparent reason at times. For example, caries under a seal or crown, or caries on two adjacent surfaces.
Other times, caries that are visible on the surface of the tooth can turn out to be much deeper and require different treatment.
The segment X-ray covers two to three teeth. It gives a complete image of the teeth, from the crown to the end of the root and the surrounding bone and tissues. For example, they detect caries, pulpitis, cysts, and periodontitis.
2. Panoramic X-ray
It gives a complete view, a two-dimensional image of the entire oral cavity - teeth, gums, jaw, and tissues around them. With the panoramic X-ray, we get a complete picture of our dental status, and other diseases that can occur in the oral cavity, such as cysts.
Orthopantomography also shows the condition and position of the wisdom teeth and the germs of the teeth in young patients. It is part of proper caries prevention, especially if we are prone to frequent caries.
3. Special X-ray
In some cases, an X-ray of the jaw or sinuses is needed, which may also be affected by more serious dental problems.
When a teeth X-ray is mandatory
In some cases, an X-ray is an obligatory part of treatment. These are:
1. Root canal treatment - the X-ray is taken at the beginning of the canals filling and at the end of treatment to determine if the canals are filled in the best possible way.
2. Before the extraction of wisdom teeth - the panoramic X-ray gives a clear view of the condition of the teeth that have not yet appeared on the surface. They are often retained and cannot make their way through the jaw. Therefore, it is essential to take a picture showing the exact location of the wisdom teeth before proceeding.
3. Dental implantology - X-rays, in particular, panoramic, are an integral part of implant procedures. In the course of treatment, they have to be done differently to get a clear idea of the condition of the jaw and the effect of the procedures.
4. Orthodontics - Panoramic photos clearly show the location of the teeth in the oral cavity and are a first step towards scheduling the correct orthodontic treatment. It can affect one or more teeth as well as the entire bite.
Are dental X-rays harmful?
Here, everything depends mostly on the frequency at which they are made. However, the radiation in the most common segment X-rays is completely minimal, and there is no risk of radiation and health damage, even if we have to do more than one in a few days.
In rare cases, panoramic X-rays are required regularly, whereas they are normally only required two or three times in a lifetime. If you require orthodontic treatment or implants, the work process will most likely necessitate them in a few months, which is a long enough time to eliminate any real risk.
When a woman is pregnant, X-rays (not just those of the teeth, but all X-rays) should be taken only as a last resort. Since children are more sensitive to radiation, it is best to have a longer interval between X-rays.
Judgment of the doctor
The dentist is the one who determines whether or not you require a dental X-ray. The experienced dental specialists at Kavident Dental Centre leave nothing to chance, and the X-ray is the necessary guarantee that is relied on in many cases.
You will be directed to the X-ray room if the dental problem is difficult to define with the naked eye. And only then will you have the most accurate diagnosis and treatment.
At Kavident, you will find specialists in both implantology and orthodontics and dental surgery. These are areas of dentistry where X-rays are always required as part of the treatment.
Dental X-Ray Digitalization
Digitalization improves service quality and results in dental X-rays, as it does in many other areas of dental physiology and medicine in general.
Modern X-ray technology allows for much greater image detail, which is beneficial to the dentist who reads it. Digital photography should not be underestimated because it is more convenient for the patient since it is transmitted and stored digitally.