Your teeth are made of highly concentrated bone, so don’t be surprised when your dentist requests dental X-rays. These provide valuable insight into your oral health and play an important role in treatment. Understanding just how crucial they are will ensure you take advantage of this service at your next family dentistry appointment.

Why Are They Important?

X-rays give your family dentistry professional a comprehensive view of your mouth. The dentist can see what’s going on inside and outside your teeth, and in the case of children, let the dentist know how teeth are developing below the gumline. Dentists use the results to diagnose and then treat many issues that aren’t visible on the surface.

There are several types of X-rays, and intraoral are the most common. These allow family dentistry staff to see from the crown to the root of each tooth, as well as where the root connects to the jawbone. Extraoral X-rays are used to take a closer look at the jaw bone and skull. Each is perfectly safe—including for pregnant women—and only exposes the patient to a small, safe amount of radiation.

What Can They Help Treat?

When your family dentistry professional examines the X-ray, they look for a number of symptoms, starting with tooth decay. They’ll check for signs inside the teeth and below the gumline so they know where cavities are developing or may develop. This ensures you receive timely treatment and are taught how to reverse the effects of decay in certain areas.

If the dentist suspects gum disease or a root canal infection, they’ll see if bone loss is occurring. Advanced stages of these conditions may be accompanied by dental abscesses between the teeth and gums—issues X-rays can detect. Dental X-rays may also pick up cancerous tumors and cysts.

Dentists can also use the X-rays to develop future treatment plans. If they notice adult teeth are crowding and are underdeveloped below the gumline in children, they can recommend orthodontic care to create room or resolve bite issues. In young adults, they can use similar exams to decide if wisdom tooth extraction is needed, so opt for X-rays whenever they’re recommended.

If you’re overdue for a family dentistry exam, contact Kemper Pond Dental. This Cincinnati, OH, practice is led by Dr. Brent Williams and offers a variety of treatments. Dr. Williams is backed by over 20 years of experience and can recommend cosmetic dentistry services, including crowns and bridges, preventative care, and more, based on your needs. Call (513) 531-4069 to schedule an exam, and visit their website to learn more about the practice.