There are many tools in a dentist’s arsenal, but only a few are versatile in their application as Dental X-rays. Dental X-ray has become a common part of a dental routine, that dentist recommends an X-ray about two to three times per year. Before starting your treatment, an X-ray is among the first things dentists ask for. Hence, you may now have realized that dental X-rays are important, but why is that? This article will discuss the importance of dental X-rays.
Evolution Of Dental X-rays:
Decades earlier, dental X-rays were not so common as it is nowadays. It’s safe to say that before the 1950s, dental X-rays were only used in extreme situations. There were multiple factors behind limited use, but eventually, the technology improved, removing several hurdles with time.
First of all, the time required to perform an X-ray reduced significantly; earlier, it took around 5-10 minutes to develop an X-ray. Then there is improvement in the safety regarding the use of X-rays, as low exposure and detailed safety procedures make X-rays a safe procedure. Furthermore, using X-rays has become easier for dentists and comfortable for patients over the years.
These improvements in technology made dentists more receptive to this amazing technology. Therefore, there has been a boom in the use of dental X-rays in recent years, especially after the introduction of digital X-rays.
Our brief discussion reveals that a lot of effort has been put into developing this technology. Hence, when technology progresses with such zeal and fervor, it must be very important.
The Importance Of Dental X-ray:
Nowadays, it isn’t easy to eliminate X-rays from a dental practice. Most of the steps in dental treatment are laced with some dental X-ray use. From diagnosis to tracking the progress of treatment, dental X-rays aids in all.
During your initial appointment with a dentist, your dentist will ask for a panoramic X-ray. A panoramic X-ray gives your dentist a complete view of how your teeth are arranged. Hence, providing the dentist an idea of what’s going on in your mouth and also help him keep an eye out for wisdom teeth that may erupt later on. This is an example of how a dental X-ray aids in routine appointments.
However, the purpose of an X-ray is not limited to giving an overview of your teeth’ arrangement. Dentists use X-rays to locate sneaky cavities hiding between teeth or those beneath dental fillings. Bitewings X-rays are particularly useful in this kind of application. Apart from cavity detection, X-ray helps dentists observe a change in bone structure or detect bone loss due to a particular infection or ailment.
An X-ray helps the dentist determine an appropriate operation strategy for oral surgery and plan restoration accordingly. Finally, an X-ray also helps your dentist track treatment progress. For example, it helps dentists gauge the effectiveness of braces.
Conclusion:
We tried to summarize the importance of dental X-rays and described a few of its applications, but we barely scratched the surface. Nonetheless, an X-ray is still an accessory; what matters the most is your dentist’s skill. Hence, for accurate diagnosis and treatment, book an appointment with Brenham Family Dental. You can call us at 979-421-9685 to learn more about how we can help.