An x-ray, or x-radiation, is a type of imaging test that has been used for many years. Doctors use this technology to see your bones, muscles, and other tissues without making an incision. This enables them to diagnose, treat, and monitor a variety of medical conditions. There are some risks associated with the procedure because it employs a form of electromagnetic radiation. However, the advantages far outweigh the risks.
Digital radiographs, also known as x-rays, are an essential diagnostic and assessment tool for dentists. We provide modern digital x-rays at our practice for your convenience and treatment efficiency.
Dental x-rays were previously captured using a film process similar to that of an analog photograph. Computerized radiography has become the dental industry standard since the advent of digital imaging. Digital x-rays use up to 90% less radiation than traditional film-type x-rays, which are already relatively low risk.
X-rays, also known as radiographs, have long been used in dentistry as a form of preventive care. X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye. When scientists first discovered evidence of these electromagnetic rays, they weren’t sure what they were, so they termed them x-rays, and the name stuck.
X-rays can pass through the soft tissues of the face and mouth (lips, cheeks, and so on), but they are absorbed by the hard material of teeth and bone. This enables the dentist to detect potential oral health problems that may not be visible from the outside. X-rays are primarily used to detect cavities, but dentists also use them to examine tooth roots, assess the health of the bone surrounding the tooth, assess potential periodontal (gum) disease problems, analyze tooth and jaw positioning, and monitor development in younger patients.
While there are several types of dental x-rays (including periapical, full-mouth, and the most common bite-wing x-rays, named after the old wing-shaped films), we use panoramic X-rays. Panoramic x-rays gather a single 2-D image of your entire mouth using a machine that rotates around your mouth, rather than multiple images that must be pieced together. The machine will not emit any light or heat. Getting dental X-rays usually does not cause any discomfort.
The “bitewing X-ray,” which provides a single view of upper and lower back teeth to assess alignment, decay, and bone loss, is the most common type of dental X-ray used during routine checkups. The plastic or cardboard tab, which is bitten down on during the X-ray, contains film, allowing a clear examination of teeth without interference from gums and bone. Bitewings reveal crown and root details, assisting in the diagnosis of periodontal disease and cavities.
Dentists recommend bitewing X-rays every year to monitor oral health and decay progression. These X-rays are essential for detecting hidden issues and are used extensively at Dazzling Smile Dental Clinic.
Periapical X-rays show the entire tooth, from the exposed crown to the root’s tip and the supporting bones. These X-rays are used to detect dental problems beneath the gum line or in the jaw, such as impacted teeth, tooth fractures, abscesses, tumors, and bone changes associated with certain diseases.
Call us at +6010 929-6396 today to schedule an overdue X-ray.
