Are you getting ready for your dental exam? One of the most important things that your dentist will do is take x-rays. Dental x-rays are a type of imaging that uses radiation to take pictures of the teeth, gums, and jaw. They are an important tool in helping dentists diagnose and treat problems with the teeth and mouth. In this blog post, we will discuss the different things that dental x-rays can find. We will also describe how they are performed and what to expect during your appointment.
There are two types of dental x-rays: extraoral and intraoral. Extraoral x-rays are taken outside of the mouth, while intraoral x-rays are taken inside the mouth. Your dentist will decide which type of x-ray to take based on your individual needs. In many cases, both types of x-rays will be used to get a thorough view of your mouth from a variety of angles.
Dental x-rays can be used to find a variety of problems, including:
Tooth Decay:
Dental x-rays can help to show areas of tooth decay that are not visible to the naked eye. For example, cavities that form between the teeth or below the gums may only be detected through dental x-rays. This is important in order to make sure that all areas of decay are treated.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth:
Dental x-rays can help to show if wisdom teeth are impacted, or stuck under the gums. This is important to know because impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and other oral health problems. Because of this, impacted wisdom teeth generally need to be removed, or extracted. In these cases, information obtained from the dental x-rays can be used to plan the procedure.
Fractured Teeth:
Dental x-rays can help to show if there are any fractures in the teeth, even if they are tiny and not visible to the naked eye. This is important because fractures can cause pain and other problems, and need to be treated.
Bone Loss:
Dental x-rays can help to show if there is any bone loss around the teeth. This is important because bone loss can lead to tooth loss. It is also a sign of periodontal disease, which is a serious condition.
Faulty Dental Restorations:
Dental x-rays can help to show if there are any problems with dental restorations, such as fillings, crowns, or bridges. This is important because these problems can cause pain and other problems. When there are problems with old dental restorations, they will need to be fixed or replaced.
Abscesses or Cysts:
Dental x-rays can help to show if there are any abscesses or cysts in the mouth. This is important because these conditions can cause pain and other problems. They may also need to be treated.
Condition and Position of the Teeth for Treatment Planning:
Dental x-rays can help to show the condition and position of the teeth. This is important because it can help your dentist plan treatment for problems with the teeth, such as decay, fractures, or bone loss.
In Conclusion
In this blog post, we have discussed the different things that dental x-rays can find. We have also described how they are performed and what to expect during your appointment. Dental x-rays are an important tool in helping dentists diagnose and treat problems with the teeth and mouth. If you have any questions or concerns about dental x-rays, be sure to talk to your dentist. They will be able to answer any questions that you may have. Thank you for reading!
Dr. Gerald Sisko graduated from Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1987. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Ohio Dental Association, and the Akron Dental Society where he is currently holding a council position. He has had the honor and distinction of being awarded “TOP DENTIST” in Akron and Cleveland as well as Northeast Ohio for the last several consecutive years.
