One question that I get asked constantly is "why is my dentist taking X-rays"? Well, dental x-rays are a important part of dental treatment because they can detect damage to the teeth and gums that are not visible during a routine visual exam.
Some of the most common reason for x-rays are listed below:
- Looking for decay between the teeth - sometimes decay is not visible to the naked eye.
- Checking for bone loss associated with gum disease - Gum disease can cause bone loss and the x-ray can show how advanced it is.
- Checking for decay under fillings - Sometime decay under the fillings can occur and the only way to detect this is by x-rays.
- Looking for infection at the tip of the root - Infections can appear at the bottom of the teeth where the bone is, which x-rays are needed to confirm.
- Examine before procedures - Dentist need a full view of the area they will be working on, whether it is braces, fillings and tooth extractions.
So, next time you get upset about having another set of x-rays taken, remember this is for your own oral health. Also, ask yourself, if would you rather take the x-rays and see potential problems or be blindsided?
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