Your comfort and satisfaction are crucial from the get-go – which is why the moment you book an appointment with Prime Dentistry, your problems can safely take a back seat. If you’re experiencing problems with your dental and oral health, our dental team in North-East Philadelphia will begin by taking a thorough medical history and doing a visual examination.
While such a visual examination can produce good results, some problems may not be easily identified simply with the help of screening. What oral exams lack in a complete visualization, dental Xrays make up in total diagnosis. They allow our dentists to see beyond what the naked eye can see. Learn why we recommend regular teeth Xrays to all our patients.
Why do I need a dental Xray?
Radiographs, also known as dental Xrays are important diagnostic tools that help our dental professionals determine the root cause of your dental problem. Since early tooth decay does not tend to exhibit many physical signs, it can be easy to overlook the subtle changes in the tooth structure. But with the help of teeth Xrays, we can determine whether you have any decay under the enamel or have any possible signs of infection in the root.
Bone loss around teeth aggravated by gum disease can also be visually depicted with the help of dental Xrays. At our office, we use digital Xrays to help identify areas of fillings and tooth decay in between your teeth, subsequently helping us treat your dental problems at an early stage to save you both time and money. Kids’ teeth Xrays can also be used to show the positions of adult teeth and can help predict the alignment of your child’s permanent dentition.
Are dental Xrays safe?
Digital Xrays are innovative tools in the modern world that use very low doses of radiation as compared to other imaging procedures, typically emitting just a fraction of what other imaging alternatives would expose you to. At Prime Dentistry, we make use of top-of-the-line technology in digital format to help minimize your exposure to radiation, making dental Xrays completely safe.
If you’re dubious about proceeding with a dental Xray, we’ll have you know that when performed with adequate safety precautions, there is little cause for concern. In fact, if we suspect an underlying problem with your teeth, we’d suggest you get a dental Xray done at the earliest to help prevent the risks and likelihood of more complicated procedures in the future.
Who needs dental Xrays?
Our Philadelphia office uses dental Xrays to inspect patients for potential dental problems such as:
- Areas of tooth decay, including in between teeth or under a filling
- Areas of bone loss associated with gum disease
- Abscesses, which are infections at the root of the tooth or between the tooth and gum
- Abnormal growths such as cysts and tumors
- Any changes in the root canal
What types of dental Xrays are there?
- Bitewings: These are common dental Xrays that show teeth above the gum line and the height of the bone between the teeth. These are used to identify the presence of gum disease and cavities.
- Full set Xrays: These show all of your teeth and the surrounding bone and are used to diagnose cavities, cysts or tumors, abscesses, impacted teeth, and gum disease.
- Panorex: A panorex is a full-mouth Xray that is taken by rotating it around you instead of placing the Xray film in your mouth. These are common wisdom tooth Xrays as they help provide one large image of your jaws and teeth.
- Periapical (PA): These are small, individual films that are used to show a specific area of concern, typically of a single tooth.
- Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT): These 3-D Xrays help capture a clear, 3-dimensional picture of your oral structures.
How often should I have dental Xrays?
If you’re a new patient at Prime Dentistry, the dental team will most likely recommend Xrays. This helps them check the general status of your mouth and assess for any hidden problems. Following this, you will be recommended to have dental Xrays done every 6 to 24 months depending on the history of decay, your age, and the overall condition of your mouth.
