How do X-rays for dentistry work?

Dental X-rays utilize electromagnetic radiation to create pictures of your mouth, much like X-rays taken of other regions of your body. Your teeth and bones are imaged by the radiation beam as it travels through your soft tissues.

Dental X-rays may be taken digitally, using a computer and digital sensors, or conventionally, using film. Comparing digital dental X-rays to conventional dental X-ray devices, the former need 80% to 90% less radiation.

What may be found using dental X-rays?

Dental X-rays aid in the diagnosis of many different oral health conditions by your dentist.

Dental X-rays reveal:

• cavities, particularly the little decaying patches in between teeth.
• decay under the current fillings.
• bone loss in the mandible.
• regions where infections are present.
• the position of teeth that are impacted or unerupted.
• teeth with abscesses (infections at the tooth's root or in the space between the gums and the tooth).
• cysts and some tumor forms.

X-rays are also used by dentists to assess your suitability for orthodontics, dentures, dental implants, and other procedures. Additionally, your dentist uses X-rays to monitor the healing process after specific operations including root canal therapy and dental bone grafting. For more information on dental x-rays, contact Iris Dental Group in Burlington today.