If you’re thinking about going to the dentist, you may be wondering whether you’ll need x-rays during your visit. Are dental x-rays really necessary? What can dentists tell about your oral health from an x-ray? At DK Dental Care, we want our patients to understand the value of yearly dental x-rays. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Why Do X-Rays Matter? Seeing Below The Surface Of Your Mouth
X-rays are one of the most important tools used in modern dentistry. Why? Because they let your dentist, such as Dr. David Keeling, see below the surface of your mouth and diagnose dental issues that may otherwise remain hidden.
X-rays use a special type of high-energy electromagnetic radiation. This radiation is very intense, so the soft tissues of your body, such as your skin and organs, cannot absorb it. Most of the energy just goes straight through these tissues. That’s why this type of tissue is very faint in x-rays.
However, denser tissue such as bone, enamel, and the other structures of your teeth can absorb this x-ray radiation. By using a special type of film or digital sensor, x-rays can be used to create an image of these tissues.
Using these images, your dentist can look for hidden issues with your teeth and gums, and ensure that they get a full understanding of your dental health.
You’ll Need To Routine Get X-Rays When You See A New Dentist
If you’re coming to DK Dental Care or another dentist in Greenfield, New Berlin or Franklin for the first time, you will need to get x-rays. Dentists usually require new adult patients to get x-rays on their first visit to their office. There are a few reasons for this.
First, it ensures that your dentist has a deep understanding of your oral health. If they only conduct a visual exam, they may miss some important information about your mouth.
In addition, x-rays help identify dental work like fillings, crowns, implants, and other such treatments which may otherwise be hard to detect. X-rays let your dentist learn more about the dental care you’ve received in the past and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. As long as your mouth is healthy, you likely won’t need to have x-rays again for 2-3 years.
X-Rays Are Necessary When Planning Dental Treatment
X-rays aren’t just used to check on your overall dental health. They are also very useful for planning dental treatment such as a filling, the placement of a crown or a dental implant, or for preparing for a tooth extraction.
Usually, you will need to undergo additional x-rays before you get this kind of dental treatment. X-rays used to prepare for dental treatment usually focus on just a few of your teeth, rather than your entire upper and lower arch of teeth.
X-Rays Are Safe And A Valuable Tool In Dentistry!
Though the idea of being exposed to the radiation of an x-ray may seem intimidating, it’s completely safe. We use the latest technology and low exposure x-rays at DK Dental Care. So don’t wait. If you need a checkup in Muskego, Franklin or Greenfield, Dr. David Keeling is here to help. Contact us at (414) 529-3253 to get started, or come by our office at 5535 S 108th Street, Suite 1, Hales Corners, WI 53130 to make an appointment in person.
FAQs
Dental X-rays are essential for proper oral health and maintenance. People with healthy teeth and gums usually need new X-rays every year. But you might need more frequent X-rays if you're prone to cavities or gum disease. Ask your dentist how often you should get X-rays to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Are dental x-rays really necessary in Quizlet? ›
Answer: Yes. Many diseases and conditions such as tooth decay, gum disease, cysts, and tumors cannot be detected simply by looking into your mouth. Many diseases and conditions produce no signs or symptoms. Without dental x-ray images, these conditions may go unnoticed for a long time.
Why is it important to understand X-rays? ›
They are used to: noninvasively and painlessly help to diagnose disease and monitor therapy; support medical and surgical treatment planning; and. guide medical personnel as they insert catheters, stents, or other devices inside the body, treat tumors, or remove blood clots or other blockages.
Can you decline an x-ray at the dentist? ›
Just as in medical procedures, a patient can refuse a diagnostic test, dental treatment or even dental x-rays! But your dentist or dental hygienist cannot provide care for you based on an incomplete diagnosis without risking liability for failure to diagnose or treat existing conditions.
Why do dentists push X-rays? ›
Dental problems like cavities, jawbone recession, and abnormal growths can be detected on x-rays. Often, these problems don't cause any pain and aren't noticeable until they advance, which is why x-rays should be an essential part of your yearly dental exam.
How often should you really get dental X-rays? ›
How often are dental X-rays really needed? The American Dental Association recommends that healthy adults with no major apparent dental problems only need to get X-rays every 2-3 years. However, the ADA suggests that patients with recurring decay or other oral complications have X-rays taken once or twice a year.
Is it necessary to get an x-ray? ›
If you've experienced an injury or aren't feeling well in general, you might be wondering, “Do I need an x-ray?” Usually, your health care provider will recommend an x-ray if they can't diagnose the issue by examining you via sight and touch.
Do X-rays have a medical purpose? ›
A medical x-ray produces a picture that can help find broken bones, tumors and foreign objects in the body. X-rays are also used in other types of examinations and procedures, including CT scans, mammograms and fluoroscopy. Medical x-rays, dental x-rays, and mammograms use relatively low amounts of radiation.
Why do dentists take X-rays every year? ›
To ensure there isn't any bone loss, jaw malposition, or shifts in the teeth, a general dentist will require x-rays every year. These abnormalities can often be difficult to spot during a routine exam. The general dentist can see the inside of the bones and underneath the teeth with X-rays.
Why were X-rays needed? ›
Physicians and physicists began as early as January 1896 to use X-rays on patients to investigate the skeleton and subsequently the lung and other organs. This was the birth or radiology. Rapidly they observed skin erythema, which led to the idea of using X-rays against a variety of lesions.
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- X-rays are created by radiation coming from electrons. ...
- X-rays are used to look at especially tiny structures because they have a shorter wavelength than visible light. ...
- There's a big difference between “soft” and “hard” X-rays. ...
- X-rays were discovered by accident.
The reduction of energy is caused by absorption which is the main principle of traditional X-ray imaging. Generally speaking, X-ray radiography measures the amount of energy loss. Because this energy loss differs for the different materials, we can see a certain contrast in the image.
Are dental X-rays really necessary and why? ›
Using special film or digital sensors, this absorption can be measured and turned into an image, similar to a photograph. This is why x-rays are so important at the dentist. They allow your dentist to look past the tissue of your mouth, such as your gums, and into the deeper areas of your teeth and jaw bone.
What is the alternative to Xrays at the dentist? ›
By hugging the tooth, near-infrared light shines through the tooth allowing us to see through the tooth exposing its structure and any cavities or cracks with very high accuracy. By using this radiation-free imaging technology, we are able to detect cavities earlier than x-rays.
Do dentists take too many x-rays? ›
In general, the amount of radiation exposure from dental x-rays is relatively low and considered safe for most people. The American Dental Association recommends that dentists use clinical judgment to determine the frequency of x-rays for each individual patient, taking into account their specific needs and risks.
What is the alternative to dental X-rays? ›
Carivu is a radiation-free imaging device that detects cavities and cracks without radiation by using transillumination technology. By hugging the tooth, near-infrared light shines through the tooth allowing us to see through the tooth exposing its structure and any cavities or cracks with very high accuracy.
What is the disadvantage of dental X-ray? ›
WHAT ARE THE RISKS FROM RADIATION? The risk from a single dental x-ray image is very small. However, some studies do show a slight increase in cancer risk, even at low levels of radiation exposure, particularly in children. To be safe, we do everything we can to keep the radiation exposure as low as possible.
Can you get a tooth pulled without an x-ray? ›
This can increase the risk of damage to nearby teeth during the extraction procedure. Incomplete extraction: Without an X-ray, it's possible that the dentist may not be able to remove the wisdom tooth entirely or may leave behind small fragments. This can lead to pain, infection, and other complications.
Can you see a cavity without an x-ray? ›
At first, most cavities aren't readily visible without an x-ray. However, as they progress, small holes may appear in your tooth. With careful inspection, you may be able to see these. Your dentist will have tools to help them take a closer look at your teeth, and they will be able to see these small holes more easily.
