At Quirke Dental Surgeons we want to provide the best possible dental care to our patients, but a visual examination often doesn’t tell us everything we need to know. Thanks to dental X-rays, we can accurately diagnose and treat dental problems early before they become more serious. And if after examining your mouth and reviewing these images, we find no cavities, bone loss or growth issues, you can rest assured we have seen the whole picture.
Valuable Diagnostic Tool
X-rays, also called radiographs, give us the ability to see between and inside your teeth. We can also view the tip of your roots and bone underneath your gums – places not normally visible to the naked eye. Although they are used as part of a routine dental health check to rule out dental disease, X-rays also aid us in diagnosing any specific or isolated dental problems you might be experiencing.
Radiographs are used to check for cavities and evaluate the extent of decay. And because some X-rays show the root of the tooth, the presence of any cysts, abscesses and other masses can be diagnosed. Congenitally missing or impacted teeth such as wisdom teeth are often identified this way, and the presence and extent of bone loss due to periodontal (gum) disease is easily seen through dental X-rays as well.
Types of X-rays
Bitewing, periapical and panoramic radiographs are the most common X-rays used. During dental health checks, we may take two bitewing x-rays – which show the crown portions of your back teeth – to check for early signs of decay between your teeth. When we want to get a good look at your teeth’s bone height or root tips, periapical X-rays provide the best view. A panoramic X-ray, is taken from outside of your mouth and produces an image of the entire oral cavity on one large X-ray. Because the image shows all of the teeth, as well as the upper and lower jaws and sinus areas, this type of X-ray can identify impaction, cysts, tumors, jaw disorders and bone irregularities.
Other radiographs include occlusal X-rays, which are occasionally taken in children to evaluate their developing teeth; and cephalometric X-rays, used by orthodontists when planning orthodontic treatment.
How Often Are X-rays Needed?
Everyone’s oral health varies, and as a result, we will evaluate your needs and recommend an X-ray schedule accordingly. If you’re a new patient, we may advise taking a full series of X-rays or panoramic image to assess your current oral health state, and use this as a baseline going forward. As you continue your regular dental health check visits, fewer X-rays are needed to monitor the status of your oral health.
Dental X-rays Safety
Because X-ray machines and other sources of dental radiographs are designed to minimize radiation, these processes are safe and your exposure is negligible. We use digital X-rays, which further reduces radiation exposure.
