DENTAL XRAYS and RADIOGRAPHS

DENTAL XRAYS :

More properly known as RADIOGRAPHS. During this discussion, we will use the terms INTERCHANGIBLY. dental xrays, radiographs

• What They Are Used For
• Radiation Exposure
• Pregnant Patients
• How Often Should I Have Them Taken

WHY DENTAL RADIOGRAPHS/XRAYS ARE NEEDED:
They are used to show dentists the surfaces BETWEEN the teeth. No matter HOW GOOD your dentist’s eyes are, it is virtually IMPOSSIBLE to see ALL SURFACES without taking RADIOGRAPHS! They are taken to get a COMPLETE view of ALL ASPECTS of BOTH TEETH and GUMS.

Aside from showing CAVITIES, they also show BONE LEVELS, and can help diagnose the degree of PERIODONTAL DISEASE present.

They also show the ROOTS of the teeth, and can indicate the presence of any INFECTIONS around teeth.

The last very important item that xrays show, is the presence of any PATHOLOGY. This can be anything from CYSTS, EXTRA (SUPERNUMERARY) TEETH, IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH, or other PATHOLOGICAL PROCESSES.

RADIATION EXPOSURE:
Due to modern advances, the amount of radiation that one receives from even a FULL MOUTH set of dental radiographs is VERY MINIMAL. Comparable to the amount of radiation that you’d receive walking around on the street all day, and MUCH LESS than you’d receive from say a CT SCAN or CHEST XRAY in a medical office.

SO HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE THEM TAKEN?
It DEPENDS.

At the INITIAL visit, the dentist may take either a FULL MOUTH set of films, or some take a PANOREX and some additional films.

After the initial visit, it is at the DISCRETION of the DENTIST how often they should be taken.

Some general guidelines however.

If you get CAVITIES regularly, you should probably have films taken at least every year.

If you have a HISTORY of cavities, you should probably have dental xrays taken every year. If you have POOR ORAL HYGIENE, you should probably have films taken every year.

Why else?

If you have NEW CAVITIES at every visit If you have GINGIVAL (GUM) RECESSION If you are under 18 YEARS OF AGE

After a patient has a PROVEN TRACK RECORD of not getting NEW CAVITIES, they often can have films taken LESS FREQUENTLY.

Under the age of 18, patients often undergo fairly DRASTIC changes. Such drastic changes may DRAMATICALLY change the outlook in the mouth.

EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER HAD A CAVITY IN YOUR LIFE…

It is WISE to have films taken at regular intervals because of all the OTHER items that can show up (i.e, PATHOLOGY, PERIODONTAL DISEASE, and INFECTIONS).

Also, the BACTERIA CAN CHANGE in your mouth, so one of these days you very well MAY GET CAVITIES.

If you have CONCERNS about the frequency in which your dentist takes RADIOGRAPHS, feel free to ask.

Keep in mind however, that the dentist has HAD EXTENSIVE TRAINING, so let him or her DO THEIR JOB.