Just like the rest of your body, your mouth also needs an x-ray every now and then. A smart dental plan will always include x-rays for diagnostic and preventative care reasons.
An x-ray is a type of energy that passes through soft tissues and is absorbed by dense tissue.
The dental x-ray can take place intra-orally or extra-orally. Intra-orally means from inside the mouth, while extra-orally takes place outside the mouth. Because teeth and bone are dense, they are more readily able to absorb x-rays to be viewed.
The main things that your dental team are looking at in the radiograph are the teeth, bones, and supporting tissues of the mouth. These x-rays allow dentists to:
- Discover cavities
- Look at the root of the tooth
- See how healthy the bones of the teeth are
- Determine your level of oral health
- Keep an eye on developing teeth
X-rays have also come a long way since they were first used in dental care. The dose of radiation is extremely limited, faster film has been developed, digital radiography is being used to limit radiation exposure, safety inspections are required do to state and federal laws, lead shields/aprons exist, and they are only done when necessary.
With all of this in mind, x-rays are here to monitor the safety of all dental patients. We at Nicollet Station Dental, want you to know you’re receiving the best care from the moment you step into the office. Schedule a routine check-up with us today!