Modern dentistry has drastically revolutionized the way oral health care is provided by enabling quicker, more effective, and less invasive procedures. Dental radiography, often known as X-ray imaging, is an essential element of dental treatment that is often misunderstood.

What are dental X-rays?

Dental x-rays (radiographs) are interior images of your teeth and jaws. X-rays are used by dentists to assess structures that cannot be seen during a typical visit, such as your jawbone, nerves, sinuses, and tooth roots. Dental X-rays are necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

How do dental X-rays function?

Dental X-rays, like X-rays obtained in other regions of your body, use electromagnetic radiation to capture images of your mouth. The radiation beam penetrates into your soft tissues, creating pictures of your teeth and bones.

Dental X-rays can be traditional (shot on film) or digital (taken using digital sensors and a computer). When compared to traditional dental X-ray machines, digital dental X-rays utilize 80% to 90% less radiation.

Advantages of Dental X-rays

• Dental X-rays enable dentists to identify oral health issues at the earliest stages, which can result in more efficient and minimally invasive treatments.
• X-ray scans provide dentists with a thorough understanding of the composition of the teeth and bones, helping in precise diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Dental X-rays can be used to identify possible problems and keep track of a child's oral development, including the emergence of permanent teeth.

Types of Dental X-rays

Depending on the diagnostic requirements, several forms of dental X-rays may be used.

Periapical X-rays: These images capture the whole tooth from crown to root and are used to diagnose abnormalities with the root and surrounding bone structures.

Bitewing X-rays: These are used to diagnose cavities and track changes over time by focusing on the crowns of the upper and lower teeth.

Panoramic X-rays: These offer a comprehensive picture of the mouth, jaw, and skull, assisting dentists in the diagnosis of impacted teeth, fractures, and other structural disorders.

Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scans: CBCT scans, which are more advanced than ordinary X-rays, provide 3D pictures and are utilized for complicated procedures such as dental implants.

Are dental X-rays safe?

The radiation doses used in dental radiography are regarded as safe and well below the limit at which they might be harmful. Dental practitioners adhere to strict regulations to reduce radiation exposure while still acquiring the necessary diagnostic information.

Dental exposure: Protocols to follow

Several precautions are taken by dental experts to assure your safety during X-ray procedures:

Lead Aprons and Thyroid Collars: Patients frequently receive thyroid collars and lead aprons to shield sensitive areas from radiation. Given that the radiation from them is so minute and concentrated in only your mouth, there has even been a recent shift away from wearing them.

ALARA principle: Dentists use the "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" principle, employing the least amount of radiation required to get reliable pictures.

High-speed film and digital radiography: These advanced imaging methods minimize exposure time and radiation dosage.

At South Shore Dental Care, your well-being is our priority. Our state-of-the-art dental X-ray technology allows us to provide accurate diagnoses and tailored treatment plans while minimizing radiation exposure. With our experienced team and commitment to patient safety, you can trust us to prioritize your oral health.