Have you ever looked at the strange black and white images of your teeth your dentist makes? These are dental X-rays, and they are one of the most important tools your dentist uses to treat your mouth. But what makes them so vital to the treatment process? Continue reading to learn more about X-rays and how your dentist relies on them to get the full picture.
What are Dental X-rays?
X-rays have been used by dentists for over a hundred years! These incredible diagnostic tools can provide detailed images of your teeth, gums, jawbone, and surrounding structures. X-rays use low levels of radiation to capture these images, allowing your dentist to find issues that may not be visible to the naked eye.
What are X-Rays Used For?
Dental X-rays are one of the foundations of a great treatment plan. During your routine checkup, your dentist may take x-rays for several reasons, such as:
- Detecting Decay: X-rays can reveal cavities between teeth or beneath fillings, helping your dentist catch decay in its early stages before it progresses and causes more significant damage.
- Assessing Tooth and Jaw Health: X-rays provide valuable insights into the health of your teeth and jawbone. They can identify issues like impacted teeth, bone loss, infections, and abnormalities in tooth structure.
- Monitoring Development: For children and teens, X-rays are essential for monitoring the development of their teeth and facial bones. They can help discover potential orthodontic issues early, allowing for swift intervention.
- Planning Treatment: Before undergoing dental procedures, like root canals, extractions, or dental implant placement, X-rays are necessary for planning to ensure success.
As you can see, dental x-rays are a critical part of diagnosing dental problems all around! They provide much-needed information to your dentist about every part of your teeth and face. Because of this wealth of knowledge X-rays provide, your dentist is able to offer more accurate diagnoses and better-informed treatment. So, the next time your dentist recommends X-rays during your checkup, just smile. You can rest easy knowing that there’s nothing that can hide from your dentist’s trained eyes.
About the Practice
If you really want to love your smile, Dr. Angela Courtney and Dr. Christy Cox have the technology and the know how to help you. They are passionate about designing customized treatment plans for their patients and watching them glow up! They treat every patient like family and strive to make every visit a positive experience. Call (614) 451-7393 to schedule an appointment at Artistry Smile Center or visit the website to discover all the services they offer.