Benefits of X-Rays
X-rays are one of those things that people tend to be wary of.
The radiation involved in taking one is a concern. Dentists understand
this, and strive to minimize a patient's exposure to the radiation, but
they continue to take x-rays because risks of radiation exposure are
outweighed by the benefit of what is learned.
X-rays are the best way for a dentist to check a patient's dental health. A dentist can locate cavities in a tooth, show dental abscesses, impacted or extra teeth and even cysts and tumors. Fillings, crowns, bridges and root canals are all facilitated by the use of x-rays. Bone-loss, hidden tartar build-up, and foreign bodies that may be creating dental issues can also be detected by the use of x-rays. Anywhere between two and eighteen may be needed, depending on each patient's situation. Eighteen are needed for a full check-up. Follow ups to check a specific issue require either two or four x-rays. These are referred to as "bite wings." And yet, for all of their benefits patients are still concerned about the radiation levels incurred during an x-ray session.
Dentists, too, are concerned about a patient's exposure to radiation, and so use a high-speed film, and lay a heavy lead vest over the patient before the images are shot. Pregnant women are not given standard x-rays due to the danger to the unborn child, yet dentals are deemed safe due to the relatively low dose of radiation that is received. Dental test send out 58,000 times less radiation than an upper GI, 8,000 times less than a chest and forty times less than the daily radiation that we all experience sitting in front of our televisions or computers, or even just walking around. These figures should go a long way in relieving people of their concerns regarding dental x-rays.
New dental technology now allows for digital x-rays to be taken. The benefits of digital are noteworthy. To start, digital x-rays deliver 80% less radiation than their traditional cousins. That's an 80% reduction to the already low doses of radiation dental x-rays deliver. In addition to lower radiation levels, digitals are almost instantaneous, and the dentist has the advantage of color contrast, since the digital is more like a photo than the traditional black and white. Digital x-rays also eliminate the need for processing chemicals and the cost of film the downside is that the digital technology is more expensive, and the quality of the image is not necessarily any better than a traditional, so not all dentists feel digital x-rays are right for their practice.
X-rays are the best way for a dentist to check a patient's dental health. A dentist can locate cavities in a tooth, show dental abscesses, impacted or extra teeth and even cysts and tumors. Fillings, crowns, bridges and root canals are all facilitated by the use of x-rays. Bone-loss, hidden tartar build-up, and foreign bodies that may be creating dental issues can also be detected by the use of x-rays. Anywhere between two and eighteen may be needed, depending on each patient's situation. Eighteen are needed for a full check-up. Follow ups to check a specific issue require either two or four x-rays. These are referred to as "bite wings." And yet, for all of their benefits patients are still concerned about the radiation levels incurred during an x-ray session.
Dentists, too, are concerned about a patient's exposure to radiation, and so use a high-speed film, and lay a heavy lead vest over the patient before the images are shot. Pregnant women are not given standard x-rays due to the danger to the unborn child, yet dentals are deemed safe due to the relatively low dose of radiation that is received. Dental test send out 58,000 times less radiation than an upper GI, 8,000 times less than a chest and forty times less than the daily radiation that we all experience sitting in front of our televisions or computers, or even just walking around. These figures should go a long way in relieving people of their concerns regarding dental x-rays.
New dental technology now allows for digital x-rays to be taken. The benefits of digital are noteworthy. To start, digital x-rays deliver 80% less radiation than their traditional cousins. That's an 80% reduction to the already low doses of radiation dental x-rays deliver. In addition to lower radiation levels, digitals are almost instantaneous, and the dentist has the advantage of color contrast, since the digital is more like a photo than the traditional black and white. Digital x-rays also eliminate the need for processing chemicals and the cost of film the downside is that the digital technology is more expensive, and the quality of the image is not necessarily any better than a traditional, so not all dentists feel digital x-rays are right for their practice.
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