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Common Questions about Dental X-Ray Exams

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In this article:

  • Why dental x-ray exams are important to your oral health
  • Safety of dental X-rays
  • Types of dental X-rays
  • Recommendations from the family dentistry in South Jersey

 

Dental X-rays provide important information about your dental health. They are used to create images called radiographs.

Family dentistry in Cinnaminson uses the images to see your jawbones, the roots of your teeth, teeth under your gums and the areas between teeth.

Here are some information from the family dentistry in South Jersey

 

 

Why are dental X-ray exams needed?

X-ray images help your dentist find problems that cannot be easily seen during your regular dental exam. Treating dental problems at an early stage can help stop them from getting worse and prevent pain. It also can help you avoid more serious health problems.

 

 

Dental X-rays taken by the family dentistry in South Jersey can show:

  • Small areas of decay in your teeth and below fillings
  • Abscesses or cysts
  • Bone loss due to periodontal (gum) disease
  • Growth problems
  • Some types of tumors
  • The effects of trauma, like a fractured jaw
  • The position of teeth that have not come in yet in children and adults

 

 

Are dental X-rays safe?

Dental X-ray use very low levels of radiation, much less than that used in other medical imaging. They are done only when needed to make a diagnosis or to help your dentist make a treatment plan for you. Your dentist will use your health history, present oral health and risk for disease to decide if X-rays are necessary.

If you change dentists, you may be able to have copies of your X-ray images sent from your last dental office to your new one. If not, your new dentist may need to take X-rays to get a full picture of your oral health. This will also help your dentist create a baseline to see how your oral healthy may change over time.

 

 

Family dentistry in South Jersey take steps to protect you from radiation, including:

  • taking X-ray images only when necessary
  • Using the smallest X-ray dose possible
  • Lining the beam up with care
  • Using proper exposure and processing methods
  • Minimizing exposure to other parts of your body, using lead thyroid collars when possible

 

 

Family dentistry in Cinnaminson use digital dental X-ray images.
Benefits of digital X-rays include:

  • We only uses small electronic sensors in your mouth to capture the X-ray image.
  • The electronic sensor sent images directly to a computer and your dentist can see it right away
  • Your dentist can enlarge digital X-ray images on the computer screen. This makes it much easier for you and your dentist to see the pictures.
  • If pictures are too light or dark, your dentist can often fix digital X-ray images without having to make another X-ray exposure.
  • The dental office can print, copy or email your digital X-ray images. Offices can send them electronically to insurance companies, which may help process claims faster.
  • Digital X=rays are environmentally friendly. They do not use film and the chemicals necessary to develop the film.

 

 

If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, let family dentistry in Cinnaminson know

Tell your dentist if you are or might be pregnant. Current guidelines say it’s better for a pregnant woman to have necessary dental X-rays rather than put off having them at a later date. This is because dental disease that is not treated during pregnancy can lead to problems for you and your unborn baby.

 

If you have had radiation therapy for head or neck cancer.

Radiation therapy to treat head or neck cancer may increase your risk of tooth decay. The dose of radiation from regular dental X-ray is very small compared to the dose used to treat cancer. It’s important to have X-ray exams as needed to find dental problems at an early stage and treat them before they get worse.

 

 

Are there rules about X-rays?

Federal and state governments have regulations about the proper, safe and effective use of X-rays in dentistry. Your dentist follows there rules to keep you safe. If you have questions about X-rays, talk with your dentist or dental staff.

Types of Dental X-rays

  • (a) Bitewing X-ray shows the crown portions of several upper and lower teeth from one side of the mouth.
  • (b) Periapical X-ray shows a few complete teeth and their roots and the jaw bone in a certain area of the mouth.
  • Complete Series X-ray is a group of X-rays that shows all the teeth, roots and related areas of the jaws.
  • (c) Panoramic X-ray is a single X-ray that manages to get all the upper and lower teeth, large portions of the jaws and other structures in one picture. This kind of X-ray does not provide as much detail as the X-rays that include smaller areas.

 

 

Are you looking for a family dentistry in Cinnaminson?

Rapha Dental is family dentistry in South Jersey, and we are located in Cinnaminson. Call us today at 856-829-8668 or contact us to schedule an appointment today!

 

 

Copyright @ American Dental Association