Dental X-rays
One of the primary diagnostic tools we use at Northern Virginia Dental Solutions is dental X-rays. While taking X-rays is the actual process we use to obtain images of your teeth, the actual images are called radiographs.
Your individual schedule for periodic radiographs depends on many factors, including age, prior history, and certain dental conditions. If you can’t remember the last time you had X-rays taken, it’s probably time to give us a call to determine whether you’re due (or long overdue!) for a new set.
Why Dental X-rays Are Necessary
There is only so much of your teeth and gums that we can see through a visual examination. However, X-ray images can alert us to all types of conditions, such as tooth decay between teeth or under existing fillings, gum disease, bone infections, abscesses, problems with teeth formation, and even tumors.
When we can identify these types of problems in their early stages, we can save you pain, discomfort, money and extended care in our office. Discovering serious conditions, such as tumors, may very well save your life, so the small amount of radiation that you are exposed to during the X-ray process is minimal when compared to the benefits of having them taken!
Types of Dental X-Rays
There are a number of traditional dental X-rays that are taken inside the mouth. They include:
- Bitewing X-rays – generally taken during all first visits and periodically afterwards. They are useful for identifying cavities between teeth and show the area of your top and bottom teeth, from the crown (tooth surface above the gum) to the jaw.
- Periapical X-rays – show the entire tooth, including the root and bone, to assess whether an abscess, impacted tooth or bone damage from gum disease is present.
- Digital Panoramic Dental X-Rays – Every 3-5 years, Dr. Lokitis will use digital panoramic X-rays to take a comprehensive look at the overall health of your mouth. Unlike traditional dental X-rays, panoramic imaging provides a full view of the jaw, alveolar bone, and roots of the teeth in a single image. This non-invasive technology is fast, efficient, and minimizes radiation exposure compared to older techniques. Panoramic X-rays are an essential tool for diagnosing and monitoring conditions that may not be visible during a routine exam. They help detect impacted teeth, evaluate bone structure and density, identify cysts or tumors, and monitor the alignment of teeth and jawbones. This proactive approach allows us to catch potential issues early.
What Do Radiographs Mean to Me as a Patient?
Radiographs serve as the starting point for a detailed dental treatment plan to address any of the issues indicated by the radiographs. They are an important diagnostic tool designed to identify conditions that, if left untreated, can cause a great deal of pain and money – neither of which is pleasant!
What do X-rays mean to me as a patient?
Most people understandably fear going for a dental x-ray mainly because of a lack of information over the amount of radiation involved. Contrary to the concerns expressed, you do not have to worry about the modern dental x-ray. You can best understand the safety of dental x-ray machines by looking at the radiation received from different sources. For example, eating a banana yields 0.1 µSc while a flight from NY to LA exposes you to 10 µSc radiation. Compare this to 0.2 µSc and 3.9 µSc ray units from single dental X-Ray and dental full mouth X-Ray, respectively. As you can see, dental x-rays yield relatively low radiation compared to other sources.
We recommend that you call us to determine whether it is time to schedule a routine dental care visit, which would include any necessary X-rays. At Northern Virginia Dental Solutions, we care about your dental health.
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