Why are Dental X-rays Needed?

Why are dental x-rays needed?

If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while ever, you may wonder why X-rays are necessary. While a dentist can see your teeth, the “tops” or “crowns” of your teeth are only part of your dental health. The dentist also needs to assess the health of the roots of your teeth, which are below the gums and not visible. The dentist is also looking for issues “between” your teeth, which may be too difficult to see because of the tight spacing between teeth. Digital X-rays allow dentists to properly diagnose potential issues before they arrive so we can provide minimally invasive, lower-cost treatment to the patient. Our modern digital X-rays also have minimal radiation exposure to the patient and our staff. Technological advancement has led to a complete set of X-rays having less exposure to radiation than an average one-way airplane flight.

Your Winter Park dentist always wants to diagnose potential issues before they cause you pain or risk your dental health. Catching problems early minimizes patient cost, time, and discomfort. So, a preventative X-ray can often help a dentist confirm or rule out a potential issue so it can be addressed early. At our office, we recommend 4 “bitewing” X-rays during your regular cleanings every six months.

These smaller X-rays are towards the back of the mouth, where it is most common for buildup or cavities to form. Additionally, because this area is more challenging for the dentist to see because of the location, it aids in confirming any diagnoses the doctor may have from the visual checkup. If anything bothers the patient at the appointment, the dentist may also recommend additional X-rays, but only in the areas where the minimum is necessary.

How often should I be getting dental x-rays?

Regarding frequency, panoramic X-rays are typically taken every 3-5 years or when a major dental procedure requires them. You will most commonly receive a panoramic X-ray during a new patient exam. However, suppose you are starting or finishing procedures such as braces, Invisalign, dental implants, or multiple extractions. In that case, it may be essential to have a panoramic X-ray taken by your dentist to get a complete picture of your current dental health. 

Full-mouth X-rays are typically taken during new patient exams. However, for bitewing X-rays, our dentist recommends small ones in the back of the mouth during your regular 6-month check-ups. Since cavities form more prevalently in the back of the mouth, this guidance is a preventative measure to identify issues before they occur.

Finally, these are the most common X-rays taken during a restorative or major dental procedure. Typical examples would be after a deep cleaning to confirm that the area underneath the gums has been completely cleaned or to confirm that a root canal was completed successfully.

What are the different types of dental x-rays?

Panoramic X-rays: provide a broad "wide angle" view of all your teeth, jawbones, sinuses, and the surrounding skull. These X-rays show your local dentist all your teeth about each other and your jaw. They also assess proximity to sinuses, wisdom teeth, and TMJ "jaw joint" issues. Panoramic X-rays also provide an easy view of a child's adult teeth before they are visible.

Full mouth/bitewing / periapical x-rays: provide a detailed "zoomed in" view of your teeth. These are taken one at a time for each area of the mouth to get a high-quality image the dentist can use to see details for diagnosing any dental issues.

 Cone Beam (CBCT) x-ray: representing the latest in modern dental x-ray technology, a CBCT x-ray is a 3D image that your local dentist can use to see the "depth" of a traditional 2D x-ray. This provides the ability to diagnose cracks in the tooth, plan for implant placement, and perform complex oral surgery. These are typically only performed by a specialist as required for major dental procedures.

Why do deep cleanings require so many X-rays?

A “deep cleaning” is commonly used for scaling and root planning procedures when patients need periodontal treatment. One of the critical issues being solved during these deep cleanings is the removal of calculus and tartar from underneath the gumline. Because these areas are hard to reach and impossible to remove with regular brushing and flossing, your dental hygienist and dentist need to use special cleaning instruments to clean the area and bring it back to health.

You can imagine the minimal amount of space, access, and light available to perform the procedure. Thus, to confirm the successful removal of foreign particles like calculus, an X-ray is used to verify both before and after. This way, your insurance company also uses the before and after x-rays when processing dental claims. The insurance company also uses these to confirm their members are getting the appropriate treatment. Your dental hygienist or assistant will typically take some before and after x-rays throughout the deep cleaning procedure to ensure the job was done thoroughly and for your insurance claim.

How can I minimize the x-rays I need?

You can always ask your Winter Park dentist for the reasons behind taking an x-ray and confirm if this is correct for you. You can always decline a dental x-ray at our office, provided you confirm that you accept any additional risk from undiagnosed dental conditions. Suppose you have switched dentists recently and don’t believe you need new X-rays. In that case, we advise you to ask your dental office (preferably in person) for an emailed or digital copy of your X-rays to be provided to you directly. Because it can be difficult for an office to request them on behalf of a patient, it is usually the easiest for a patient to ask directly. This way, you can provide those X-rays to your Winter Park dentist and only take X-rays as needed.

If you have any questions regarding dental x-rays or need a regular checkup and cleaning, please call our office or schedule an online appointment!