X-Rays Explained
By Your Idaho Falls Dentist
– Alan R. Cooper DDS
Dental X-rays help your Idaho Falls dentist to see diseases of the teeth, and also the gums and bone that surround their teeth. These problems cannot be seen with a simple oral exam. X-rays help the dentist find and treat dental problems early in its development, which can save you time, money, and discomfort. Your Idaho Falls dentist at Eagle Rock Dental Care will make sure that you get the best treatment and care for your dental needs.
Why Do I Need Dental X-rays?
Dental X-rays are used to:
-
Panographic Dental X-Ray Show areas of decay not visible with an oral exam especially decay between teeth.
- Show decay around and beneath existing fillings -reveal bone loss due to disease
- Reveal an abscess due to infection in the root
- Reveal pathology (abnormalities) such as cysts or tumors
- Assist in decision making for needs such as tooth implants, braces, and other procedures.
- Check on the development of wisdom teeth
Frequency of getting dental x-rays depends on your medical and dental history. Some people may need x-rays as often as every six months; others with no recent decay or gum disease and who visit their Idaho Falls dentist regularly may need them once a year or less. Initial x-rays are important to establish a baseline record to compare changes against over time. If you have additional questions regarding dental x-rays, please contact you dental professional or call us at Eagle Rock Dental Care, we love to help!
How Often Should You Have Dental X-Rays
How often you receive dental x-rays is very dependent on your medical history, dental history, and current condition. Some people receive x-rays every six months. For others with no recent dental or gum disease, they may receive x-rays every 5-7 years. That would be the full Panorex x-ray. The Panorex x-ray provides a full view of the upper and lower jaws, teeth, temporomandibular joints, and sinuses. The bitewing x-rays, which you may be more familiar with, are done annually.
Bitewing X-rays
Bitewing x-rays are scheduled for you once a year. This x-ray allows us to see the top and bottom teeth in the back in a single view. A bitewing x-ray is used to check for decay between the teeth and to show how well the upper and lower teeth line up. These x-rays also show bone loss when severe gum disease or dental infection is present.
Panorex X-rays
Panorex x-rays are scheduled for you every 5 to 7 years. This is very dependent on your medical history and dental history, but we think 5 to 7 years is enough. These x-rays do not find cavities. These x-rays show problems like impacted teeth, bone abnormalities, cysts, solid growths (tumors), infections, and fractures.
General Guidelines For Dental X-rays
- Adolescents & Adults – After the initial new patient x-rays are taken you can then expect bitewing x-rays annually depending on medical history and dental history. Panorex x-rays will be taken every 5 to 7 years unless otherwise needed.
- Adults Without Teeth – After the initial new patient x-rays are taken you can then expect to not recieve x-rays unless otherwise needed for present conditions. You may still receive panorex x-rays every 5 to 7 years accordingly.
How Safe Are Dental X-Rays
Many people express concern for radiation effects of dental x-rays on their body and rightly so. It is important to know how much radiation your body can withstand since we receive it on a daily basis from all sorts types of sources; including, sunlight, home appliances, and even in the soil where we grow our food.
We are happy to tell you that the amount of radiation you receive from dental x-rays is extremely small, especially when using digital x-rays. How small you ask; well, radiation calculation has quite a few parameters to consider but according to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, an annual bitewing x-ray has approximately 99.999956% chance of having NO EFFECT on you. That is a number that can leave you satisfied the benefits from dental x-rays far outweigh the risks.
Conclusion
At Eagle Rock Dental Care we provide x-rays to make sure you have superior oral health. If you are still concerned about your exposure to radiation, please don’t hesitate to ask one of our dentists in our Idaho Falls dentist office, Rexburg dentist office, or Arco dentist office. For appointments please call, visit, or schedule an appointment online.
