Dental X-rays
Dental X-rays, or radiographs, can provide important information about your oral
health. They allow dentist to evaluate areas that can't be seen with the naked eye. For
example, radiographs help your dentist examine the underlying bone, rootsof your
teeth, or unerrupted teeth, as well as the contact areas, where teeth touch on another.
What are X-rays?
X-rays are a form of radiation that can penetrate many materials, incliding bone and
soft tissue. Since X-rays also can expose photographic films, they have become very
important in both dentistry and medicine. By placing the area that needs to be examined
between film and an X-ray machine, physicians or dentist can obtain apicture of some
conditions beneath the bdy's surface.
How do X-rays work?
When a radiograph is taken, more X-rays are absorbed by dense tissue (such as teeth
and bone) than by soft tissues (such as cheeks and gums) before striking the film. This
creates an image on the film.
Bony structures, like teeth, appear light because fewer X-rays reach the film. Soft
tissue appear darker because more X-rays pass through the film.
How often should I have dental X-ray examinations?
Like any other aspect of your dental treatment, dentist X-ray examinations are
scheduled on an individual basis. Your dentist will recommend dental radiographs after
reviewing your history and possibly examining your mouth. Based on this information he
can determine is radiographs are needed.
If you are a new patient, the dentist may recommend a full-mouth series of radiographs
to determine the satus of the hidden areas of your mouth and to analyze changes that
may occur later.
The schedule for radiographs on recall visits varies according to age, risk for disease,
and symtoms of disease. New films may be needed to identify whether there is any
decay present, assess the severity of gum disease, or evaluate the status of growth and
development. Children may need X-ray examinations more often than adults because
their oral structures are growing and changing. Periodic radiographs can help us chart
the progress of this growth and development and to see if permanent teeth will be
erupting normally.
Are dental X-rays safe?
Dental X-ray examinations involve very low doses of radiation, which makes the risk
of harmful effects extremely small. The radiation associated with four bitewing
radiographs is etimated at 38 microseiverts, for example. By comparison, an airplane
fight at 39,000 feet is associated with an exposure of about 5 microseiverts/hour This
means the exposureduring a set of four bitewing radiographs is roughly equivalent to
a 7-hour flight.
Only a small part of the body is exposed to radiation during a dental X-ray examination
(an area about the size of the film). Some steps that can be taken to limit the area
exposed during an examination include:
However, although the risk of any harmful effects is small, dental X-ray examinations
as well as any radiation exposure should be conducted only when the results are likely
to benefit the patient.
What are the benfits of a dental X-ray examination?
Many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when your dentist
examines your mouth. An X-ray examination may reveal
Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save time, money and
unnecessary discomfort. It can detect damage to oral structures not visible during a
regular exam. If you have a hidden tumor, radiographs may help save your life.
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