Dental X-rays are an important tool in diagnosing various dental problems. They are typically used to identify tooth decay or abscesses, bone loss around the teeth (caries), and gum disease. Dental X-rays can be taken at any stage of development. The dentists at Suncreek Dental Group are proficient in taking dental X-rays and interpreting them for their clients. Sometimes they will recommend additional tests depending on their diagnosis using dental X-rays.
Dental X-rays are a very safe procedure and are used to create images that can be used to diagnose or treat problems of the teeth, gums, and jaw bones. The X-ray imaging process utilizes an ionizing radiation source, which is typically a microchannel plate. This source produces X-rays that can be focused onto film through a collimator, which is a pinhole tube. Dental X-rays are used to have a thorough look at the teeth and gums that are affected by oral disease.
Let us now see what dental X-rays are used:
- Abscesses or cysts
A dental abscess is an infection that forms under the gum or in the bone around a tooth. Abscesses can be small (1-2 mm) or they can be large and large enough to cause the tooth to become visibly swollen or painful. They are most often located on one side of the socket of the affected tooth. The common signs of an abscess include pain, swelling, and tenderness around the impacted tooth.
- Bone loss
Bone loss is noted on the X-ray by a decreased density of the bone. The loss of bone can occur due to the lack of stimulation from neighboring teeth. This can cause the teeth to shift out of place and gingivitis. So, it is essential to diagnose bone loss as early as possible using dental X-rays.
- Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors
Teeth and gums can be affected by tumors of many types. A dental X-ray can reveal the extent of a tumor and determine whether it is cancerous or non-cancerous. For example, the x-ray of a tooth showing a change in color or a dark cavity is likely an abscess caused by cancer.
- Tooth decay
Dental X-rays are used to detect caries and cavities that appear as dark holes in the teeth. These dark spots on a dental X-ray film may appear as circles, triangles, or rings, which are indicative of a cavity or other oral disease.