Dental X-rays (radiographs) should be a regular part of your routine dental care. These images provide valuable insight into your oral health. They may seem tedious, or slightly uncomfortable, but the benefits of dental X-rays absolutely outweigh the inconvenience.
Why should you get dental X-rays? Learn more about the diagnostic advantages of digital radiographs.
What Are Dental X-Rays?
Dental X-rays, or digital radiographs as they are referred to in the dental field, are images of the teeth and mouth. Radiation is passed through tissues to reveal what is under the surface that can’t be seen with the naked eye.
What Can Dental X-Rays Reveal?
- Cavities. Dental X-rays can detect cavities that are small or between the teeth where they are difficult to see.
- Abnormalities. Abnormal growths of soft tissues or bone can be identified by dental X-rays.
- Tooth development. Dental X-rays provide insight into the development of teeth before they erupt through the gums, such as wisdom teeth.
- Jaw structure. Oral health problems sometimes stem from the jaw. Dental X-rays can reveal the shape and density of the jaw bone.
- Decay under dental work. If there is decay under a filling or a crown, dental X-rays can detect what is difficult to see.
- Damage. In the case of dental trauma or injury, X-rays provide insight to assess the extent of the damage.
Benefits of Dental X-Rays
- Early detection of oral cancer. In many cases dental X-rays are the first diagnostic tool that identifies abnormalities of the soft tissues or jaw bone. When oral cancer is identified early, it can be more easily treated with more successful outcomes.
- Identification of small cavities. Dental X-rays allow for the detection of cavities when they are small, making them much easier to treat and preventing the need for more extensive dental procedures.
- Effective treatment planning. The images provided by dental X-rays allow dentists to create treatment plans with greater accuracy and successful outcomes.
- Digital X-rays use minimal radiation. Today’s digital X-rays use a small fraction of the amount of radiation that was used in traditional film X-rays of the past.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental X-Rays
Are dental X-rays covered by insurance?
Most dental insurance plans cover dental X-rays once a year. This means that if you see your dentist every 6 months as is recommended, dental X-rays will be taken during every other appointment.
Are dental X-rays safe?
Dental X-rays are now digital, meaning they use the minimum amount of radiation necessary to create images. Radiation exposure is minimal and is concentrated to just the oral tissues. A protective vest complete with thyroid protection is provided as an added precaution.
Learn More About Dental X-Rays From Rockville Dental
The next time your dentist recommends dental X-rays, take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about your oral health. This simple diagnostic procedure provides extensive information about the health of your teeth and oral tissues for more effective treatment.
