When you visit the dentist, you will frequently be asked to sit for a dental X-ray in addition to your teeth cleaning and general dentistry procedures. The American Dental Association recommends radiography as often as every six months for patients at risk of dental problems and suggests dentists use this technique to screen new patients for existing issues. Read on to understand why this diagnostic tool is so important.

X-Rays Show What Your Dentist Can't See

Your teeth grow so close together that your dentist can't see all their surfaces even with dental mirrors and probes. Also, a large portion of each tooth extends below the gum line and into the jaw. To monitor these inaccessible areas, your dentist uses X-rays. Since the radiation penetrates skin and bone, it can provide an image of the hidden parts of your teeth — including any cavities or signs of periodontal disease in these areas.

What X-Rays Reveal

In addition to the dark shadows of cavities on X-rays, your dentist can see a number of things about your dental health. They can identify any bone loss or deteriorating tooth roots and can locate unerupted teeth. This includes impacted wisdom teeth which may need to be treated or removed. If you have a jaw malformation, this type of scan helps your dentist diagnose and monitor it. Finally, orthodontists rely on X-rays to help them make healthy recommendations for shifting and aligning your teeth.

Common Concerns

Some patients worry that getting radiography done too frequently is risky due to radiation exposure. However, the amount of radiation used is small enough to make this risk negligible. This is especially true with modern techniques using digital dental X-rays, as they use a tiny fraction of the radiation used by traditional equipment.

If you're overdue for an X-ray from your dentist, visit Jim S. Caudill, DMD, PSC in Hazard, KY. Providing dental services in Perry County since 1975, Dr. Caudill is committed to offering the best and most up-to-date treatment options, including dental implants and Dexis™ digital X-rays. To schedule an appointment, call (606) 436-3432 or visit the website today.