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What can a dental x-ray show your dentist?
How does your dentist know when you have a cavity developing between your teeth, or a wisdom tooth beneath the gumline that isn't growing in properly?
Dental x-rays provide a picture of what's happening in areas we normally cannot see. Early decay, impacted teeth, abscesses and bone loss from gum disease are all things that dental x-rays reveal.
Examples of different things a dentist uses x-rays for are shown below.
Dental Decay under an existing filling
An important reason to visit your dentist regularly is to make sure that no hidden cavities under existing fillings are creeping up on you. Cavities show up as dark areas on your dental x-rays.
When the nerve in a tooth is badly damaged, either by an accidental trauma or because of dental decay, sometimes your dentist (or a dental specialist like an Endodontist) will perform Root Canal Therapy, where a hole is made into the tooth and the damaged nerve (or pulp) is removed with a special file and replaced with a filling material. Usually the tooth is later fitted with a new top called a Crown to help it remain strong.
Tooth Parts
A dental x-ray provides an excellent diagram of a tooth and its parts: the crown (what you see above the gumline), tooth root and tooth pulp (nerve).
Different dental fillings, early dental decay
Different types of dental filling materials show up differently on your dental x-rays. The bright white filling above is made of dental amalgam, while the gray filling is a "composite", white colored filling. Each type of filling material has its own purpose.
Wisdom Tooth on the way
Your wisdom teeth are really just a third set of molars that appear usually when you're between 17 and 21 years old. For some people the teeth don't grow in at all, and for others there are problems with straightness and having enough space. That's why it's important to see your dentist for regular checkups to make sure everything is growing as it should.
Do all patients have radiographs taken every six months?
No. The need for X-rays is based on the dentist's assessment of your individual needs, including whether you're a new patient or a recall patient, adult or child, or pregnant. In most cases new patients require a set of full mouth X-rays to evaluate their teeth for underlying signs of periodontal disease and for future comparison. Recall patients may require X-rays to monitor their periodontal condition or their susceptibility to tooth decay.
What is a "panoramic radiograph."
Just as a panoramic photograph allows you to see a broad vista such as the Grand Canyon, a panoramic radiograph allows your dentist to see the entire structure of your mouth in a single image. Typically, most dental patients have "periapical" or "bitewing" radiographs taken. These require patients to hold or bite down on a piece of plastic with X-ray film in the center. Bitewings typically determine the presence of decay in between teeth, while periapical X-rays show root structure, bone levels, cysts and abscesses.
Why do I need both types of X-rays?
What's apparent through one type of X- ray often is not visible on another. The panoramic X-ray will give your dentist a general and comprehensive view of your entire mouth on a single film, which a periapical X-ray cannot show. On the other hand, periapical or bitewing X-rays show a highly-detailed image of a smaller area, making it easier to see decay or cavities between your teeth. Radiographs are not prescribed indiscriminately. Your dentist has a need for the different information that each radiograph can provide to formulate a diagnosis.
Should I be concerned about exposure to radiation?
All health care providers are sensitive to patients' concerns about exposure to radiation. Your dentist has been trained to prescribe radiographs when they're appropriate and to tailor radiographic schedules to each patient's individual needs. By using state-of-the-art technology and by staying knowledgeable about recent advances, your dentist knows which techniques, procedures and X-ray films can minimize your exposure to radiation. top
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