Are Dental X-Rays Safe?
Are Dental X-Rays Safe?
Patients frequently want to avoid dental x-rays because they are worried about being exposed to radiation. Dental x-rays are thought to be very secure. Radiation exposure is a critical issue regarding the safety of dental x-rays, however, these procedures emit very low quantities of radiation when done correctly. The safety level of the treatment has been significantly increased because of numerous advancements made to dental x-ray machinery throughout the years.
Why do dentists take dental X-rays?
Dentists routinely utilize dental x-rays to evaluate the state of a patient’s oral health. They are crucial in figuring out whether there are any problems with the gums and teeth that are not visible. Dental x-rays are used to diagnose diseases that affect your teeth and surrounding structures and offer important details to assist in planning the proper dental care. Xrays can be used to determine the following:
Number, size, and placement of the teeth.
Loss of bone due to periodontal disease(a.k.a. gum disease) and tooth caries
Fractured jaws
Issues with occlusion
Jaw injuries
Additional skeletal and dental anomalies
Symptoms of any oral illness
Frequency of Dental X-rays
Dental x-rays come in different types and at different intervals depending on the patient’s needs, which are established by the clinical examination and risk factors. Dental x-rays may be required if you are a new patient to assess your oral health and establish a baseline for identifying potential changes down the road.
Most patients will have dental x-rays taken once a year to make sure everything in their mouths is in good condition. However, you can be required to have x-rays taken more frequently if you have gum disease, an oral infection, or other persistent issues.
How do Dental X-rays work?
The teeth and jaws are quickly and painlessly imaged using dental x-rays. X-rays are radiation in the form of invisible energy beams. Varying according to the density of different bodily structures, the x-rays pass through and are absorbed differently. Less dense body structures like muscles and nerves absorb less radiation and appear as shades of grey in the final image, whereas teeth absorb most of the radiation and appear as white regions.
