WHAT are Dental X-rays?
Dental X-rays (radiographs) are images of your teeth, taken using a X-ray machine. Depending on your oral health, a dental x-ray can be intra-oral (when the film or sensor is placed inside the mouth) or taken extra-orally via a x-ray machine. Most patients do not have any problems or discomfort when taking Xrays.
WHY do I need to take a dental x-ray?
In your years of visiting the dentist, you are likely to be familiar with x-rays or had had a dental x-ray taken. The purpose of these X-rays, and why did you need them, may vary according to your condition then, but in general a dental X-ray allows your dentist an in-depth view of your teeth, gums and jaw, which are not possible to see by a simple visual examination.
Hence dental x-rays are helpful for your dentist to detect potentials oral issues like cavities, tooth decay, and impacted teeth before they become major problems. Besides detection, it is also a crucial tool for accurate assessment before treatment planning.
HOW x-rays work
X-rays are a type of light ray, similar to the visible light we see everyday. The difference between visible light (light we can see) and x-rays (light we can’t see) is the wavelength of the rays.
When x-rays come into contact with our body tissues, they produce an image on film, which can be be in analogue or digital form (more on that later). Soft tissue which are skin and organs cannot absorb the high-energy rays so the light passes through them. Dense materials inside our bodies like bones and our teeth absorb the radiation.
Hence the variation of anatomical density in the teeth and their surrounding tissues will show up differently on an X-ray, which is either black or white. If you have dental materials such as fillings, crowns, or root canal treatments, these will be recorded in an x-ray as well. Your dentist would be able to read the X-ray accurately so you do not have to be overly concern about the theory of x-rays, but it is good information nonetheless.
Is dental x-ray safe?
The dose of radiation you are exposed to during the taking of dental X-rays is extremely small,
especially if your dentist is using digital X-rays.
Advances in dentistry over the years have also led to a number of measures that minimise the risks associated with X-rays. ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) is a principle of radio-protection stating that whenever ionising radiation has to be applied to living beings it should be as low as reasonably achievable. It is fundamental to the principles of radiation protection and this certainly applies to dental x-rays.
If you are still concerned about radiation exposure due to X-rays, have a talk with your dentist. Getting an x-ray is a standard procedure during a dental consultation, especially if you have not had a recent Xray or if an updated X-ray is needed for thorough consultation. More X-rays may be required depending on your condition and subsequent treatments. In general X-rays expose you to a small amount of radiation — about the amount you get from a flight and is too small to cause you any harm.
Types of dental x-rays
There are several types of dental X-rays, which record slightly different views of your mouth Each can have a purpose in analysing a precise area of the mouth or the surrounding structures.
INTRA-ORAL:
The most common dental x-ray are intraoral X-rays. There a few types such as bitewings, occlusal and and you can read about them in detail here [link]. Intraoral X-rays are commonly required for accessing specific areas of the mouth or teeth.
EXTRA-ORAL:
Extraoral X-rays may be used when your dentist suspects there might be problems in areas outside of the gums and teeth, such as the jaw and skull. Extraoral X-rays are important for orthodontics and endodontics treatments (root canals), implantology and other oral surgeries.
DISCLAIMER:
The information above should be used as a reference only. Any medical decision should not be taken
before consulting a health care professional. The masculine gender may have been more used in the article, but without prejudice, to make reading easier.