Dental X-rays or radiographs are images of your teeth that dentists use when evaluating your oral health. X-rays have low radiation levels and effectively capture the interior images of your teeth and gums. A common question most people often ask is whether dental X-rays are necessary. Dental X-rays can help dentists identify many dental issues, including tooth decay, cavities, and impacted teeth. Although X-rays might seem complex, they are a simple procedure that is just as important as dental cleanings.
Why Dentists Perform Dental X-rays
Typically, patients should have dental x-rays yearly. However, your dentist can recommend X-rays more often to track your recovery after dental treatment. Some of the factors that can determine how often you should get dental x-rays include:
- The state of your oral health
- Your age
- Symptoms of oral issues
- History of gingivitis/gum disease
- History of tooth decay
If you are a new patient, your doctor will likely recommend a dental x-ray during the initial appointment to enable them to gauge your oral health. You are likely to undergo an x-ray if you do not present your new dentist with x-rays taken by your previous dentist.
Children might require more frequent dental X-rays than adults to help dentists monitor the growth of their adult teeth. X-rays also assist dentists in making decisions like whether to remove baby teeth to avoid complications, including adult teeth growing behind the baby teeth.
How To Prepare For A Dental X-ray
No special preparation is needed before a dental x-ray. Patients only need to brush their teeth before the scheduled appointment. Cleaning your teeth creates a hygienic and comfortable environment for the dentist working on your teeth. Dentists often perform dental X-rays before professional teeth cleanings.
At the dental office, the dentist will have you sit on a chair and place a lead vest on your lap and chest. Sometimes, the dentist can also wrap your neck with a thyroid collar. These measures prevent you from exposure to excess radiation. The dentist will position the X-ray machine alongside your head to take images of your teeth and gums. Some dentists perform X-rays in different rooms, while others perform them in the same room as other dental procedures like dental cleanings. You should remain as still as possible during the x-ray for the best results.
How Dental X-rays Work
Dental X-rays work in the same manner as X-rays taken in other parts of your body. They employ electromagnetic radiation to take images of the different parts of your mouth. The radiation beam penetrates your soft tissue and records images of your oral bones and teeth. Dental X-rays can be conventional or digital. Conventional X-rays are taken using a film, while digital X-rays utilize a computer and digital sensors. Digital X-rays use 80 to 90% less radiation than traditional X-rays.
Dental Issues That Can Be Identified Using Dental X-rays
X-rays help dentists identify an extensive range of dental issues. Dental X-rays can reveal the following:
- Decay beneath dental fillings
- Infection areas — x-rays can reveal root canal or dental abscess changes. You are at a higher risk of infection if you have undergone a recent root canal.
- Bone loss in your jaw
- Dental cavities, especially helping dentists identify decay before it progresses
- The position of an impacted or unerupted tooth
- An abscessed tooth is often characterized by an infection at the tooth root or between the teeth and the gums.
A dentist can also perform a dental x-ray to determine whether a patient is eligible for dental procedures like dentures, braces, or dental implants. X-rays also help dentists monitor healing after dental procedures like root canal therapy and bone grafts.
A dental x-ray might be necessary if you suffer from gum disease and your dentist believes that bone loss could have occurred. An x-ray will reveal the changes in your teeth.
A dental X-ray can also help identify bite and jaw alignment issues. Improper jaw alignment can cause you to experience chewing problems and migraines. An x-ray can give your dentist important information regarding tooth structures and jaw alignment. The images will help your dentist know where to adjust.
Dental X-rays can reveal certain types of oral cancers, especially if the cancer has started in the jaw or has spread to the jaw. However, dental X-rays cannot detect all types of oral cancers. Therefore, routine oral cancer screenings are important.
The Different Types Of Dental X-rays
There are two primary types of dental x-rays:
- Intraoral, whereby the sensor or film is inside the patient’s mouth
- Extraoral, where the sensor or film is outside the patient’s mouth
Intraoral X-rays
There are three main types of intraoral x-rays:
- Bitewing x-rays
- Occlusal x-rays
- Periapical x-rays
Bitewing X-rays capture the lower and upper teeth in one area of the patient’s mouth. These X-rays come in handy in helping dentists detect tooth decay to the teeth. They also help dentists identify any changes that occur beneath the gum line. Bitewing X-rays do not capture the roots of your teeth.
Occlusal X-rays help dentists identify oral issues in the root or floor of your mouth. These images are crucial, especially when diagnosing impacted or fractured teeth. Occlusal images also help dentists examine the roots of the front teeth. These X-rays can further reveal dental issues like abscesses, cysts, and jaw fractures. In children, pediatric dentists use occlusal images to examine developing teeth.
Periapical X-rays capture the full tooth from the root to the crown. They help dentists detect gum disease, decay, bone loss, and other abnormalities of the teeth and surrounding areas.
Extraoral X-rays
There are three main types of extraoral x-rays:
- Panoramic x-rays
- Cone beam CT scan
- Cephalometric x-rays
A panoramic x-ray captures all the mouth structures in a single image. In one image, it captures the lower and upper jaw, nerves, jaw joints, sinuses, and the supporting bone. Panoramic X-rays give dentists a comprehensive overview of the oral issues in your mouth.
Cone beam CT scans enable dentists to capture 3D images of the teeth, jaws, sinuses, and nerves. These X-rays can also detect facial fractures and tumors. Before placing dental implants, dental surgeons use cone beam CT scans to examine the location, length, and width of a patient’s jaw bone.
A cephalometric X-ray shows the image of a patient’s head from the side. It reveals the location of the teeth in relation to the jaw. When planning treatment, most orthodontics use cephalometric x-rays.
Whether Dental X-rays Are Safe
Since the radiation risk from dental x-rays is quite low, dental x-rays are considered safe. The radiation you get from a dental x-ray is comparable to the radiation you get from exposure to:
- Smartphones, televisions, and computers
- Building materials like granite countertops and ceramic floor tiles
- Background radiation from the sun, stars, and the earth
In large doses or high frequencies, however, dental X-rays can be harmful and can increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, you should not have dental x-rays more often than required. Your dentist can help you weigh the benefits and risks of dental X-rays.
The risk associated with dental X-rays is even lower if your dentist uses digital X-rays instead of conventional X-rays developed on films. Dental X-rays are considered safe for adults and children.
When performing a dental x-ray, your dentist will place a lead bib over your chest, pelvic region, and abdomen. This bib will prevent exposure of your internal organs to unnecessary radiation. In cases of thyroid conditions, your dentist can use a thyroid collar. Women of childbearing age and children can wear the thyroid collars alongside the lead bibs.
There is an exception for pregnant women. If you are pregnant or you believe that you might be pregnant, you should avoid all x-ray types. Radiation is not safe for developing fetuses. Therefore, you should inform your dentist if you are pregnant.
Current Dental X-ray Technology
Most dentists are already using newer dental X-ray technology (digital X-rays) instead of conventional X-rays that involve developing an X-ray film in a dark room. The digital X-rays are sent to a computer screen and are available for viewing immediately. The images can also be stored or printed. There are several advantages of using digital X-rays:
- Compared to conventional X-rays, digital X-rays use less radiation. Patients do not have to wait for the X-rays to develop because the images are available immediately.
- The images taken can be enlarged many times and enhanced on the computer screen, enabling dentists to see where the problem is
- If necessary, your dentist can send the images to other dentists or specialists electronically. Transfer of dental images can be crucial when you want to seek a second opinion or when specialized treatment is required. If you happen to change location, your dentist can send the digital images to your new dentist.
- Software installed in computers can help dentists compare the current and previous X-ray images. This process is known as subtraction radiography. When using this technique, the dentist subtracts everything that is the same between the two images, leaving an image of the area that is different. This technology enables dentists to identify minor details that cannot be detected with the naked eye.
How Often You Should Undergo A Dental X-ray
How often you should undergo a dental x-ray can vary depending on factors like your current condition and dental/medical history. Some patients might require dental x-rays every six months. If you do not have a dental or gum issue and you visit your dentist regularly, you might require a dental x-ray every couple of years. If you are a new patient, your dentist might recommend an x-ray as part of the initial consultation. The initial x-ray enables the dentist to form a baseline record that the dentist uses to compare the changes that might occur over time.
Some patients fall under the high-risk category and might require dental x-rays more often. People under the high-risk category include the following:
- Children might require more X-rays than adults because their teeth and jaw structures are still developing. Since their teeth are small, decay can penetrate the dentin and spread faster than in adults.
- Adults with restorative work — If you have extensive restorative work, you might require dental X-rays often to check for decay under the existing fillings or in new locations.
- People who consume sugary beverages — If you consume sugary beverages often, you might require dental x-rays often. Sugary beverages provide the perfect environment for cavities to flourish.
- People with periodontal disease — Dentists can recommend dental X-rays in patients with periodontal or gum disease to check or monitor bone loss.
- Smokers — In smokers, x-rays can monitor bone loss resulting from periodontal disease. Smokers have a higher risk of developing gum disease compared to non-smokers.
- People with dry mouths — Dry mouth is also known as xerostomia—are at increased risk of dental cavities. Dry mouths can result from consuming medication like antihistamines, anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, and others. Factors like radiation treatment and damaged salivary glands can also cause dry mouths.
Whether You Can Refuse A Dental X-ray
A patient has a right to refuse to undergo a dental x-ray. However, you should note that most dentists might not be comfortable offering dental services without performing an x-ray. You should talk to your dentist if you are concerned about radiation exposure during a dental x-ray. Your dentist will help you weigh the pros and cons of dental x-rays.
Find an Experienced Dentist Near Me
Dental x-rays are crucial for proper oral health diagnosis and maintenance. Experts recommend that you should have a dental x-ray once every year. However, if you have healthy teeth and gums, you might not require yearly x-rays. On the other hand, you might require dental X-rays more often, like every six months, if you are a high-risk dental patient or have certain dental issues. People with a higher risk of cavities and gum disease might require dental X-rays more often. Ask your dentist about how often you should have dental X-rays to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
If you need reliable dental services or dental X-rays, contact Northridge Advanced Dentistry. We utilize advanced dental X-ray technology to minimize radiation exposure. You do not have to wait for the images to be processed since our digital imaging technology allows images to be processed in real-time. Contact us at 818-701-3010 to speak to one of our dentists.
