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Archive for the ‘dental technology’ Category

Dental X-rays & Digital X-rays use small amounts of radiation to take an “internal” picture of your teeth and surrounding gum tissue.  Dental X-rays assist your dentist in finding things that are not visible to the naked eye.

Dental X-rays will discover problems within the teeth, mouth and surrounding jaw.  Your dentist can see cavities, tooth decay, hidden teeth (as in wisdom teeth), as well as bone loss.

The following is a list of Dental X-rays that are commonly used:

Bitewing X-rays:  shows the upper and lower back teeth; it shows how the teeth line up to each other and if there is any decay between the teeth as well as any bone loss with severe gum disease

Periapical X-rays:  show an entire tooth from root to crown and any supporting teeth; it shows dental problems below the gum line or in the jaw (impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts, tumors, etc.)

Occlusal X-rays:  show the roof or floor of the mouth;  it shows extra teeth or teeth that have not grown through the gums, jaw fractures, cleft palate, cysts, abscesses or other growths as well as any foreign objects in the mouth

Panoramic X-rays:  shows a broad view of the jaws, mouth, teeth, sinuses and nasal area; shows problems like impacted teeth, bone abnormalities, cysts, tumors or growths, infections and fractures

Digital X-rays:  A small sensor unit or pad glides around your mouth and sends pictures to a computer for viewing and can be saved into your patient file; the dentist can compare easily from previous x-rays and cancel out all images that are the same and only view different images to pinpoint and issues or problems that have formed

On your first visit to the dentist, a full-mouth series of periapical x-rays are done and bitewing x-rays are done during your regular checkups to look for any tooth decay.  Panoramic x-rays are used only when the dentist feels they need to look at something more closely.

If you have never had a Dental X-ray or digital x-ray, don’t worry as they are virtually painless.  The dental technician will put a lead apron on you to shield your body from the small amount of radiation that is used.

The dental technician then gets you to bite down on a piece of cardboard or plastic, which holds the x-ray film.  (Some people may find this uncomfortable and gag on the cardboard – most people find it helps if you concentrate on something else)

The camera is placed at several angles around your head to obtain the amount of pictures your dentist requires.  The X-rays are placed on films and your dentist reads them from a light box.

The radiation that is used is very low that there is little chance any problems would arise.  If you are pregnant however, you must tell your dentist as dental x-rays would only be done if absolutely necessary and extra precautions will be taken to protect your baby.

While all the traditional forms of film dental x-rays work fine and are the common norm among dentists, the wave of the future is the digital x-rays.  The machine is very expensive but it does assist the dentist to find dental problems quicker and fix issues before they become painful and save your teeth.

The upfront cost to the dentist is worth it as they do not have to pay for films and chemicals to develop traditional film x-rays.  Once the software is installed for the digital x-rays, it can be used continuously.

Digital x-rays will save you the uncomfortable situation of biting on cardboard also that gag reflex feeling when you want to spit that piece of cardboard out.  Images can be seen immediately by the dentist and positioned side by side with your previous pictures, as well as the dentist can enlarge and manipulate the picture to compare possible problem areas.

The procedure still gives off minute traces of radiation and you must still wear a lead vest however this is a precaution as the levels of radiation are still being tested.  Most insurance companies will cover the cost of digital x-rays as in the traditional film dental x-rays.

Our clinic uses Digital x-Rays in identifying hidden cavities. Request an appointment or call 1-877-283-0497 to speak to one of our caring staff with any questions you may have and we will show you how quick and painless this procedure is.  You will be amazed just how much a digital dental x-ray can teach you about your teeth and mouth in just one picture, and save you from unnecessary exposure to the radiation of traditional dental x-ray machines!