In this month’s blog we answer all your questions about dental x-rays.
Why does the dentist take x-rays?
Dental x-rays help the dental team to see any areas of decay that would not be visible to the naked eye, between teeth or under crowns or fillings. X-rays will also show any infection present or any bone loss around the roots of teeth.
In children x-rays can show where their adult teeth are and when they are likely to appear.
How often will the dentist take x-rays?
The dentist will take x-rays when you attend for your first appointment. This will help them assess the health of your teeth and gums and will allow them to plan your treatment going forward. Following this, x-rays will be taken every 6 months to 3 years depending on your oral health risk factors.
What types of x-rays are there?
- Bitewing x-rays: These x-rays are used during check-ups to look for tooth decay, bone loss and severe gum disease as they show the upper and lower teeth in one view.
- Periapical x-rays: Checking for problems below the gum line, these x-rays uncover problems like impacted teeth, cysts, tumours and abscesses. A periapical x-ray will capture the entire tooth from the surface to below the root. These x-rays are usually performed during a patient’s first visit.
- Panoramic x-rays: Given occasionally, this type of x-ray gives a complete, broad view of the upper and lower jaw. Used to identify issues like bone abnormalities, cysts, infections, fractures and tumours, panoramic x-rays will include the jaw, teeth and sinuses.
Are dental x-rays safe?
The level of radiation received from a dental x-ray is extremely small. We get more radiation from natural sources and the environment around us. Dentists abide by strict safety guidelines to minimise a patient’s exposure to radiation.
Here at Ringmer Dental we use the most modern digital x-rays, which further reduces the radiation levels. However, we will always take care to use x-rays only when they are clinically justified.
How much radiation is in a dental x-ray?
Dental x-rays use on of the smallest dose of radiation in any modern medicine. A routine examination with 2 x-rays transmits about 0.005 mSv, the equivalent to the amount of radiation a person would be exposed to during a plane flight of one to two hours.
Can I have dental x-rays when I am pregnant?
Please inform us if you know or think you may be pregnant. We will then try to refrain from using x-rays until after the baby is born.
Why does the dentist leave the room during an x-ray?
Although the level of radiation in each x-ray is very small, the dental team may take hundreds of x-rays every week. Staff therefore limit the amount of radiation they receive by moving away from the x-ray beam. The risk to patients from one or two routine x-rays is very small.
If you would like to find out more about dental x-rays do not hesitate to ask at your next appointment. Call Ringmer Dental on 01273 813898 and book in for your consultation.