A dental exam helps dentists diagnose infections before they worsen and need advanced treatment. X-rays provide a clear image of areas between your teeth, the jawbone, under the gums, and the teeth’s roots. This helps a dentist identify dental conditions and gum disease early. Here is how dentists use X-rays during exams:
When Are Dental X-Rays Necessary?
X-ray images help dentists detect problems not visible during oral examinations, such as abscesses, tumors or cysts, cavities and decay, and bone loss in your jaw. Dental professionals use X-rays for children to monitor growing teeth and identify impacted teeth. X-rays are often part of a routine dental exam to detect oral health issues in adults and children before they worsen.
Dentists also use X-rays to prepare patients for future teeth procedures like dentures or implants. The imaging can also show the position and condition of wisdom teeth to determine if treatment or surgery is required. A dentist uses your present oral health, age, risk for disease, and health history to determine whether X-rays are necessary. Patients undergoing extensive dental work may require frequent dental exams and X-rays to identify decay under fillings or in new areas.
How Do Dental X-Rays Work?
Before undergoing dental X-rays, a dentist places a thyroid collar around your neck and a lead apron on your chest. This helps protect your body from excessive radiation. You may stand in front of the X-ray machine or sit on the exam chair during the X-ray. The dentist places a sensor in your mouth and presses a button to capture an X-ray image of your mouth and teeth.
Digital X-rays use electronic sensors to capture and store digital images, which a dentist can access on a computer. They can view and enlarge the images to help them easily detect possible dental abnormalities. The images are added to your patient records, helping summarize your oral health history and identify potential risks.
Types of Dental X-Rays
There are two types of dental X-rays:
- Intraoral: The sensor is placed inside the mouth. These X-rays produce images of your upper and lower teeth, showing changes that occur just below the gum line. They can also show the entire tooth, from the crown to the root.
- Extraoral: The sensor is placed outside the mouth. These X-rays show all of the structures of the mouth, including jaw joints, nerves, and supporting bones. X-rays may also be of your head’s profile, revealing the location of your teeth in relation to the jaw.
Dentists may recommend particular X-ray types if you are at risk for gum disease, bone loss, or facial fractures. Orthodontists often use extraoral X-rays when creating a treatment plan for bite correction. A dentist may recommend a CT scan to determine your jawbone’s height, width, and location before developing dentures or dental implants.
Schedule a Dental Exam Today
Regular dental exams promote good oral health by removing tartar and plaque buildup, helping reduce the likelihood of gum disease. Exams may include dental X-rays to detect decay, cysts, jaw fractures, or abnormalities. Identifying these issues early can enhance recovery time and minimize tooth loss. Contact an experienced dentist today to schedule a routine exam.