What is an X-ray
Dental X-rays are a variation of energy that can travel through solid objects. This energy is absorbed by dense objects, such as teeth and bones, show up in X-rays as translucent or opaque figures depending on the material of the dental treatment patient has. X-rays can help identify dental problems that cannot be seen with an oral physical examination as they can spot trouble early on in your mouth, teeth, gums and jaw. Treating problems before they get serious can save money, pain and sometimes even your life.
As such, dental diagnostic X-rays are an integral part of practicing dental treatment as your dentist will need to review the condition of which your teeth are currently in before offering any form of diagnosis.
X-rays show the following diagnostical clues for dentists in adults:
What are the different types of dental X-rays
Dental X-rays can be divided into two main groups: intraoral (inside the mouth) and extraoral (outside the mouth).
The most common type of X-ray is intraoral X-rays in dentistry. There are also several types of intraoral X-rays that show different aspects of teeth.
Bitewing radiographs are among the easiest and most frequent ones to take, the chance of giving distortion-free results is higher than the rest of the types so this is necessary for the accurate assessment and diagnosis of dental issues such as decay between the teeth or the presense of ill-fitting dental crowns/ veneers. In children, they also show developing permanent teeth.
Taken with the film or sensor place in a vertical direction (vertical bitewings), these radiographs also show bone volume and density, for evaluation of periodontal health (“peri” – around; “odont” – tooth). Bitewing images usually consist of four films, two on each side, which are necessary to capture all the back teeth — premolars and molars. Often only one bitewing image per side is required in smaller children.
They can also detect changes in the thickness of bone caused by gum disease as well as any wear or breakdown of dental fillings.
Periapical X-rays show the whole tooth, from the crown to the root where the tooth attaches into the jaw. Each periapical X-ray shows all teeth in a specific portion of the mouth. They also detect any unusual changes in the root and surrounding bone.
Occlusal X-rays track the development and placement of an entire arch of teeth in either jaw.
Extraoral X-rays are useful for the detection of dental problems in the jaw and skull. There are several types of extraoral X-rays.
These are the second most commonly used dental X-rays for diagnostic point of view, they show the entire mouth area to include all the teeth in both the upper and lower jaws on a single X-ray. It is useful for the detection of the position of fully emerged teeth, as well as impacted teeth and also tumors.
This is a type of X-ray that creates 3-D images of dental structures, soft tissue, nerves and bone. It helps capture tooth implant placement and evaluates cysts and tumors in the mouth and face.
Cephalometric projections show the full side of the head. This is especially beneficial for the review of the teeth in relation to the jaw and profile of the individual. Orthodontists use this X-ray for realigning
This type of imaging uses a dye that is injected into the salivary glands to show up on the X-ray. Dentists might need this test to look for salivary gland problems, such as blockages, or Sjogren’s syndrome (a disorder with symptoms including dry mouth…etc; as this disorder can play a role in tooth decay).
Different types of dental X-rays can be used for different treatments, including bitewings, full-mouth series, and panoramic views, are in common use. They do have a miniscule amount of radiation, however, digital technologies in dentistry have advanced so far to allow only very minimal radiation that is actually used for a standard dental X-ray. Because, considering the lifetime frequency of exposure to dental diagnostic X-rays, even a slight increase in health risk would be of considerable public health importance.
Dental X-rays expose patients to very low radiation doses and this subject has been under the microscope for many years by the dental community and this has been the subject of many medical research over the years.
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