The advent of digital dental radiography has revolutionized dentistry and has dramatically improved the ability of dentists the diagnose and management of dental disorders.
Dental X-rays use controlled pulses of radiation to create images of the internal structures of the jaw and mouth. It is also known as a dental radiograph.
Digital dental X-rays can help spot trouble early enough in your mouth, teeth, gums, and jaw. Treating problems before they get serious can save money, pain, and sometimes even your life.
Why Are Dental X-Rays Performed?
Factors affecting how often you get dental X-rays may include:
- Age
- Current oral health
- Symptoms of oral disease
- History of gum disease (gingivitis) or tooth decay.
Dental X-rays are typically performed yearly. They can happen more often if your dentist is tracking the progress of a dental problem or treatment. Children may need to have dental X-rays more often than adults because there might need to monitor the growth of their adult teeth. This is particularly important because it can help the dentist determine if baby teeth need to be pulled to prevent complications, such as adult teeth growing behind baby teeth.
You don’t need to too far to get dental treatments. There are several dentists in Pearland performing digital X-rays in Pearland. You can easily walk in to see a dentist near you.
Types Of Digital Dental Radiographs.
Digital dental radiographs can either be taken inside (intraoral) or outside (extraoral) the mouth. Intraoral X-rays are the most commonly taken dental X-ray, providing remarkable detail and are used widely. Extraoral X-rays are not used to identify individual tooth problems but to detect impacted teeth, monitor jaw growth and development, and identify potential problems between teeth, jaws, temporomandibular joints (TMJ), or other facial bones.
Types of intraoral X-rays include:
Bitewing X-rays: are taken with the patient biting down on the film, showing details of the upper and lower teeth in one area of the mouth and are used to detect decay between teeth and changes in bone density caused by gum disease, as well as to determine the fit of dental crowns or restorations, and the marginal integrity of tooth fillings.
Periapical (limited) X-rays show the whole tooth from the crown to beyond the root tips to the supporting bone in one area of either the upper or lower jaw. Periapical X-rays are used to detect root structure and surrounding bone structure abnormalities and treat conditions such as periodontitis, advanced gum disease, and detecting endodontic lesions (abscess).
Types of extraoral X-rays include:
Panoramic X-rays: requires a machine that rotates around the head, shows the entire mouth, including all the teeth in the upper and lower arch, in one image. Panoramic X-rays are used to plan treatment for dental implants, detect impacted wisdom teeth and jaw problems, and diagnose bony tumors and cysts. They are used for forensic and legal purposes to identify otherwise unrecognizable bodies after fires, crashes, or other fatalities.
Multi-slice computed tomography (MCT) shows a particular layer or “slice” of the mouth while blurring all other layers. This type of X-ray is useful for examining structures that are difficult to see clearly.
Cephalometric projections, which show the entire head, help examine teeth to a patient’s jaw and profile. Orthodontists, specialists in aligning and straightening teeth, use cephalometric projections to develop their treatment plans.
Benefits of Digital Dental Radiography.
Digital dental radiographs have proven to be of immense benefits as compared to traditional dental X-rays. Some of these include:
Digital radiographs reveal small hidden areas of decay between teeth or below existing restorations (fillings), bone infections, gum (periodontal) disease, abscesses or cysts, developmental abnormalities, and tumors that cannot be detected with only a visual dental examination.
Early detection and treatment of dental problems can save time, money, and discomfort.
Digital dental images can be stored easily in electronic patient records and sent quickly electronically to insurance companies, referring dentists or consultants, often eliminating or reducing treatment disruption and leading to faster dental insurance reimbursements.
Disadvantages of Digital Dental Radiographs.
Cost is the major drawback of dental radiographs. Digital radiograph start-up costs are expensive for dentists, with conservative estimates ranging from $11,000 to $15,000 for a wired sensor system to $20,000 to $50,000 for a wireless system.
Schedule an Appointment
Still confused about the purpose of digital dental x-ray? Call us now to book an appointment with our dentist near you. We also cater to patients from communities like Shadow Creek Ranch, Almeada Heights, Orchard Grove, Morningside Place, Brookside Village, Pearland, Autumnjoy Drive, Mustang Ridge, and surrounding areas.
