What are dental X-rays?
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American Dental Association answered:X-rays are an important diagnosing tool for oral disease. Watch as Dr. Maria Lopez Howell explains how your dentist uses your x-rays while planning your treatment.
X-rays are an important diagnosing tool for oral disease. Watch as Dr. Maria Lopez Howell explains how your dentist uses your x-rays while planning your treatment. More -
Dr. De Vizio of Colgate answered:Dental X-rays are a form of imaging test that dentists use to learn more about the health of your teeth. A dentist can discover a lot about your teeth and gums simply by examining them with the naked eye. However, dental problems such as tooth decay and infections can often only be properly diagnosed by looking beneath the surface. X-rays use small amounts of radiation to create images on film called radiographs. As X-rays pass through the mouth, they're absorbed by the tissue. Some tissue, as well as denser objects, absorbs more X-rays than others. Teeth appear in lighter shades on a radiograph, while cavities and tooth decay show up in darker patches. These images help dentists to identify problems with the teeth.Dental X-rays are a form of imaging test that dentists use to learn more about the health of your teeth. A dentist can discover a lot about your teeth and gums simply by examining them with the naked eye. However, dental problems such as tooth decay... More -
Dr. Kimberly Harms answered:Many diseases of the oral cavity can't be seen when the dentist examines your mouth. Dental x-rays are images that can help the dentist see things the human eye can't detect such as tiny areas of decay between the teeth or below fillings; bone damage from an infection or cyst; bone loss from gum disease; developmental defects; some types of tumors; the effects of trauma; and the position of unerupted teeth in children and adults.Many diseases of the oral cavity can't be seen when the dentist examines your mouth. Dental x-rays are images that can help the dentist see things the human eye can't detect such as tiny areas of decay between the teeth or below fillings;... More -
Dr. Todd Welch answered:X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like light, except they just have a much shorter wave-length. X-rays are a form of "ionizing" radiation which basically means they can penetrate body tissues which is what generally prompts concern. However it is just this property which makes them important diagnostic tools.
They can penetrate soft tissues like skin and gums much more readily than hard tissues like bone and teeth causing different degrees of shadows. The shadows can be captured on film or digital receivers and are called radiographs (x-ray pictures). Because today's dental x-ray machines and image capturing techniques are so sensitive, the amount of radiation needed for diagnosis is negligible, almost next to nothing compared to what you get from every day background radiation.First a little science: A millisievert (mSv), named after Dr. Rolf Sievert, famous for studying the biological effects of radiation, is the unit of measurement that allows for comparison of doses from different x-ray sources. We use this measurement to help determine what we call the effective dose (E), a way of calculating the safety factor of each x-ray exposure. Since we know our annual background exposure to natural x-radiation (all around us) is from 2 to 4.5 mSv, and more if you like to take airplane rides, we can then make a comparison to dental x-ray examinations.
Dental radiographs are completely safe; the average single digital periapical film (peri-around, apical-root end of a tooth) is equal to 1 microsievert (uSv) i.e. one thousandth of an mSv. For four bitewing radiographs, traditionally used to image the back teeth for decay (the little tabs you bite on are called bite-wings), the exposure is 4 uSv. The x-ray machines take images of only the necessary structures, so there is no scatter of the x-rays to other tissues. Your dentist may even take the precaution of making you wear a lead apron to shield the rest of your body.
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like light, except they just have a much shorter wave-length. X-rays are a form of "ionizing" radiation which basically means they can penetrate body tissues which is what generally prompts... More -
Healthwise answered:Dental X-rays are pictures of the teeth, bones and soft tissues around them to help find problems with the teeth, mouth and jaw. X-ray pictures can show cavities, hidden dental structures (such as wisdom teeth), and bone loss that cannot be seen during a visual examination. Dental X-rays may also be done as follow-up after dental treatments.
The following types of dental X-rays are commonly used. The X-rays use small amounts of radiation.
- Bitewing X-rays show the upper and lower back teeth and how the teeth touch each other in a single view. These X-rays are used to check for decay between the teeth and to show how well the upper and lower teeth line up. They also show bone loss when severe gum disease or a dental infection is present.
- Periapical X-rays show the entire tooth, from the exposed crown to the end of the root and the bones that support the tooth. These X-rays are used to find dental problems below the gum line or in the jaw, such as impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts, tumors and bone changes linked to some diseases.
- Occlusal X-rays show the roof or floor of the mouth and are used to find extra teeth, teeth that have not yet broken through the gums, jaw fractures, a cleft in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate), cysts, abscesses or growths. Occlusal X-rays may also be used to find a foreign object.
- Panoramic X-rays show a broad view of the jaws, teeth, sinuses, nasal area and temporomandibular (jaw) joints. These X-rays do not find cavities. These X-rays do show problems such as impacted teeth, bone abnormalities, cysts, solid growths (tumors), infections and fractures.
- Digital X-rays can be sent to a computer to be recorded and saved.
Dental X-rays are pictures of the teeth, bones and soft tissues around them to help find problems with the teeth, mouth and jaw. X-ray pictures can show cavities, hidden dental structures (such as wisdom teeth), and bone loss that cannot be... More
