Understanding Dental X-rays

Of what use are dental X-rays to dental professional? Dental X-rays can supply a lot of information to the dentists though they may cause discomfort while being taken. They indicate where tooth decay and cavities are, they warn oral surgeons to the presence of nerves or misshapen teeth and roots, they reveal the location of wisdom teeth, bone loss, and presence of cysts, tumors and supernumerary (extra) and impacted teeth.

X-ray apparatuses are found in nearly every dental practitioner’s office as they are required for every patient at some point. The method of producing an X-ray generally requires the patient to wear a leaden vest first; the technical person or the dentist then places a little cardboard or plastic container inside the patient’s mouth, adjusts it into proper position, and requests them to hold it in its position by biting hard on it. This can be quite uncomfortable for the patient, but happily it is over in a few seconds.

Why does the patient need a lead vest? Since patients are exposed to radiation during the procedure, there should be some sort of a protection to shield them from it. Modern vests in dental practices will come equipped with a thyroid collar which covers the throat and protects the thyroid glands from any exposure. Realistically, the amount of radiation from a dental X-ray is inconsiderable and nothing to be concerned about.

How often can a patient have dental X-rays taken? There are federal guidelines regarding the permitted frequency of dental X-rays for those at high or low risk of dental decay. People who have little risk of dental decay are recommended by the Federal Drug Administration to have X-rays once every two to three years (for adults), and people who are at more risk once a year or once every one and a half years. Most dentists will take X-rays of their patients as part of a regular check-up.

Modern developments in dental X-rays include the use of digital radiography, which entirely eliminates the need for cardboard or plastic film plates.

The growing fashion trends of body piercing, particularly in the nose, lip, tongue or cheeks may obstruct dental X-rays from giving a clear picture. Additionally, people with braces or retainers, dentures and bridges may also not be able to have certain X-rays taken.

There are quite a few types of dental X-rays that are used for different medical investigations. They each address a separate area of the mouth, including the palate, jaws, sinuses and nasal passages. This is done to comprehensively assess different areas of the mouth that are vulnerable to dental ailments.