Dental X-rays serve as one of the most important diagnostic tools available in dentistry today. At Uptown Dental, high-resolution digital x-ray technology provides quality views of teeth, gum tissue, and bone. Regular dental x-rays, scheduled annually or every other year, can help detect cavities between teeth, abscesses, and other infections, and issues with tooth development. In addition, dentists take dental X-rays following trauma to the teeth. This shows the remaining roots and tooth structure to help determine the best options for broken tooth restoration or removal.
About Dental X-Rays
Did you know that X-rays were discovered in 1895? The technology has come a long way in the last 128+ years. Dental X-rays using film exposure became more common in the middle of the 20th Century. Today, digital X-rays make it easy to take high-quality X-rays of teeth with minimal exposure. The digital images can be reviewed on a high-resolution computer screen by your dentist, and they are fast and painless for the patient.
Dental X-rays enhance your oral and dental care by:
- Helping your dentist find cavities, decay, or abnormalities between teeth, inside teeth, and in the jawbone.
- Providing early detection of gum disease and developmental issues.
- Revealing issues with crowns, fillings, and other restorations.
Uptown Dental recommends annual dental X-rays for patients over the age of 3. X-rays provide a regularly scheduled status of a person’s teeth, which can be very helpful if teeth or crowns break between regular dental appointments.
High Resolution X-Rays
Uptown Dental uses a single-pass 3D digital x-ray machine to expedite the x-ray process and provide panoramic views of your teeth. Dr. Lenz and Dr. Mueller can immediately review your dental X-rays to look for signs of tooth decay, impacted teeth, and pockets of infection. Other abnormalities may also appear on X-rays, so they continue to be important for diagnosing a variety of dental problems.
Dental X-ray Safety
People often ask us about the safety of dental X-rays. As digital X-rays improve and become faster, they continue to be a very safe diagnostic procedure with minimal exposure to X-rays. The amount of radiation produced by a dental X-ray is similar to the radiation given off by computers and smartphones, which most of us use every day. In addition, the lead apron and neck guards used by our team shield the body from X-ray exposure.
While dental X-rays are considered safe for pregnant women, dentists typically avoid them during the nine months of pregnancy. If you are planning a family or are pregnant at your dental appointment, be sure to tell your dental care staff.
Digital dental X-rays such as the ones provided at Uptown Dental are the gold standard in dental diagnostic technology. Uptown Dental is ready to provide you with the dental care you need, and we’d be happy to answer your questions about dental x-rays. Please contact us with questions or to schedule an appointment.