Dental X-rays

Dental radiographs (x-rays) are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without x-rays, problem areas may go undetected.

Dental x-rays may reveal:

• Abscesses or cysts
• Bone loss
• Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors
• Decay between the teeth
• Developmental abnormalities
• Poor tooth and root positions
• Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line

Are dental x-rays safe?

We are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment. The amount of radiation exposure from a full mouth series of x-rays is equal to the amount a person receives in a single day from natural sources.

Dental x-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered safe. Dentists take necessary precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation when taking dental x-rays. These precautions include using lead apron shields to protect the body and using modern, fast film that cuts down the exposure time of each x-ray.

How often should dental x-rays be taken?

The need for dental x-rays depends on each patient’s individual dental health needs. Your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend necessary x-rays based on the review of your medical and dental history, dental exam, signs and symptoms, age consideration, and risk for disease.

Digital X-Ray

Digital X-Rays are sent directly to a computer and can be immediately viewed onscreen, whereas traditional X-Rays need to be developed in a dark room.

There are many benefits to digital X-Rays, including:

• Less radiation than traditional X-Rays
• Less waiting time for the X-Rays to develop
• Once taken, the X-Ray can be enlarged and enhanced onscreen, in order to make it easier to diagnose the problem
• If you move away or need to be referred out of the office to a specialist, the images can be sent to another dentist electronically
• Software added to the computer can help us digitally compare current images to previous ones in a process called subtraction radiography. Using this technique, everything that is the same between two images is taken out of the image, leaving a clear picture of only the portion that has changed. This helps dentists easily see the tiniest differences that may not have been noticed by the naked eye.

Low Radiation Dental X-Rays

X-rays are a crucial diagnostic tool in dentistry, allowing us to see beyond what is visible to the naked eye. They help us detect cavities, monitor tooth and bone health, assess the development of teeth, and diagnose other oral conditions. At Mountain West Family Dental, we use low radiation X-rays, also known as digital X-rays, which are a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional X-rays.

How Do Low Radiation X-Rays Work?

Low radiation X-rays utilize advanced digital imaging technology that significantly reduces the amount of radiation exposure compared to conventional film-based X-rays. These X-rays capture detailed images of your teeth, gums, and jawbone, which are instantly available on a computer screen for immediate review. The digital sensors used in these X-rays are more sensitive to radiation, allowing for a lower dose while still producing high-quality images.