Dental X-Rays

Dental X-Rays

What are the benefits of Dental X-Rays?

Dental X-rays are taken for a number of reasons:

1. To detect tooth decay: X-rays can reveal areas of decay that may not be visible during a visual examination.
2. To evaluate the development of teeth: X-rays can show the position and development of permanent teeth in children and adolescents.
3. To assess the health of the tooth roots and jawbone: X-rays can reveal signs of gum disease, bone loss, and other conditions that affect the teeth and supporting structures.
4. To plan for orthodontic treatment: X-rays can help orthodontists determine the best course of treatment for correcting misaligned teeth and jaws.
5. To diagnose oral infections and tumors: X-rays can reveal abscesses, cysts, and tumors in the jaw or mouth.

How Often do Dental X-rays need to be taken?

The frequency of dental X-rays depends on the individual’s dental health needs. Factors that may influence the frequency of X-rays include age, dental history, current oral health, and risk factors for developing dental problems.

In general, dental X-rays are recommended once every 1-2 years for adults with healthy teeth and gums. However, some patients may require more frequent X-rays, such as those who:

1. Have a history of tooth decay or gum disease that needs to be monitored closely.
2. Have a high risk of developing dental problems due to factors such as smoking, poor oral hygiene, or a diet high in sugary foods and drinks.
3. Are experiencing symptoms such as tooth pain or sensitivity.
4. Have had recent dental work or are planning to undergo dental procedures

Your dentist will determine the appropriate frequency of X-rays based on your individual needs and will take precautions to minimize your radiation exposure during the X-ray procedure.

Are X-Rays Harmful?

Dental X-rays do involve exposure to radiation, but with the gold standard fast speed low-dose digital scanner that we utilise, the amount of radiation is minimal and considered very safe. In fact, the amount of radiation from a dental X-ray is equivalent to the amount of radiation exposure from natural sources that we receive during a typical day.

In addition, dental professionals take several precautions to minimize radiation exposure during X-rays, including:

1. Using lead aprons and thyroid collars to shield the body from radiation.
2. Utilising leading edge hardware and technology to ensure high resolution images are obtained with the lowest radiation dose possible.
3. Only taking X-rays when necessary and using modalities that involve the lowest dose of radiation possible.
4. Using high-speed film and properly maintained equipment to reduce the need for retakes.
5. Avoiding unnecessary X-rays for pregnant women, except in emergency situations.

While the risk of harm from dental X-rays is very low, patients should still feel free to discuss any concerns with their dentist and ask about the need for X-rays and the safety precautions that will be taken.

What happens if I don’t take dental X-rays? 

If you don’t take dental X-rays, your dentist may miss certain dental issues that are not visible during a visual exam. For example, X-rays can help detect tooth decay, gum disease, cysts, abscesses, impacted teeth, and other dental problems that may not be visible to the naked eye.

If these issues are not detected and treated in a timely manner, they may progress and lead to more serious dental problems that require more extensive and expensive treatment. For example, a small cavity that could have been easily treated with a dental filling may progress and require a root canal or extraction if it is not detected early.

Therefore, it is important to follow your dentist’s recommendations regarding the frequency of dental X-rays and other dental exams to ensure that any dental problems are detected and treated early, before they progress and become more serious.