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Dental X-ray Dental X-rays are pictures of the teeth, bones, and soft tissues around them to help find problems with the teeth, mouth, and jaw. X-ray pictures can show cavities, hidden dental structures (such as wisdom teeth), and bone loss that cannot be seen during a visual examination. Dental X-rays may also be done as follow-up after dental treatments. |
Types of Dental X-rays ? Bitewing X-rays show the upper and lower back teeth and how the teeth touch each other in a single view. These X-rays are used to check for decay between the teeth and to show how well the upper and lower teeth line up. They also show bone loss when severe gum disease or a dental infection is present. Periapical X-rays show the entire tooth, from the exposed crown to the end of the root and the bones that support the tooth. These X-rays are used to find dental problems below the gum line or in the jaw, such as impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts, tumors, and bone changes linked to some diseases. Occlusal X-rays show the roof or floor of the mouth and are used to find extra teeth, teeth that have not yet broken through the gums, jaw fractures, a cleft in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate), cysts, abscesses, or growths. Occlusal X-rays may also be used to find a foreign object. Panoramic X-rays show a broad view of the jaws, teeth, sinuses, nasal area, and temporomandibular (jaw) joints. These X-rays do not find cavities. These X-rays do show problems such as impacted teeth, bone abnormalities, cysts, solid growths (tumors), infections, and fractures. Digital X-rayS is a new method being used in some dental offices. A small sensor unit sends pictures to a computer to be recorded and saved. Why It Is Done ? 1. Find problems in the mouth such as tooth decay, damage to the bones supporting the teeth, and dental injuries (such as broken tooth roots). Dental X-rays are often done to find these problems early, before any symptoms are present. 2. Find teeth that are not in the right place or do not break through the gum properly. Teeth that are too crowded to break through the gums are called impacted. 3. Find cysts, solid growths (tumors), or abscesses. 4. Check for the location of permanent teeth growing in the jaw in children who still have their primary (or baby) teeth. 5. Plan treatment for large or extensive cavities, root canal surgery, placement of dental implants, and difficult tooth removals. 6. Plan treatment of teeth that are not lined up straight (orthodontic treatment). Without X-rays, dentists may miss the early stages of decay between teeth. How To Prepare ? Before the X-ray test, tell your doctor if you are or might be pregnant. Dental X-rays are only done on your mouth area, but if you are pregnant, routine dental X-rays may be postponed so you do not have any radiation to your baby (fetus). If dental X-rays are absolutely needed, a lead apron will be placed over your belly to shield your baby from the X-rays. You do not need to do anything before having a dental X-ray. How It Is Done ? Dental X-rays are taken in the patient's room. The X-ray pictures are read by Dr. Muruga. 1. A dental technician will cover you with a heavy lead apron as you sit upright in a chair. This apron shields your body from X-rays. Modern lead aprons have a collar (called a thyroid shield) to shield the thyroid gland from radiation. 2. Everyone else in the room wears a protective apron or stays behind a protective shield. 3. The dental technician will have you bite down on a small piece of cardboard or plastic. The cardboard or plastic holds X-ray film. You may do this several times to get pictures of all your teeth. 4. You may want to rinse your mouth before and after the X-rays. How It Feels ? X-rays take only a few minutes and are not painful. Some people may gag on the plastic or cardboard that holds the X-ray film. People often find it easier to relax if they focus on something else (such as an object on the wall) and take slow, deep breaths through their nose during the X-rays. Dental X-ray Risks ? Radiation used in dental X-rays is so low that there is very little chance of problems from having the X-rays. Pregnant women may not want to have routine dental X-rays taken until after they give birth. Although there is no proof that a routine dental X-ray could harm a developing baby (fetus), dentists usually suggest you wait to have your X-rays until after the baby is born. Delaying the X-ray for a few months will not result in further harm to teeth in most cases. There are times when the severity of the dental problem requires an X-ray to deal with an urgent concern. Dental X-ray Results ? Normal : No tooth decay is seen, No damage to the bones supporting the teeth is seen, No dental injuries, such as tooth or jaw fractures, are seen, No cysts, solid growths (tumors), or abscesses are seen, No extra or impacted teeth are seen and no teeth are out of their normal place. Dental X-ray Results ? Abnormal : Tooth decay is seen, Damage to the bones supporting the teeth is seen, Dental injuries, such as tooth or jaw fractures, are seen, Cysts, solid growths (tumors), or abscesses are seen, Abnormally placed, extra, or impacted teeth are seen. |