FAQ Topics:

• Fillings & Restorative Materials
  
• Dentures
  
• Decay & Disease
  
• Children
  
• Brushing & Tooth Whitening
  
• X-rays
  
• Bad Breath
  

1. How does a dental x-ray work?
   

   X-ray, a beam of radiation, passes through your mouth. When a dentist makes an x-ray, more of the dental x-rays are absorbed by the denser parts of your mouth (such as teeth and bones) than the less dense soft tissues of the gums, tongue, and cheek before they strike the x-ray film. In our office, instead of using x-ray film, we use digital sensors. This creates an image on the film or sensor which creates the radiograph. The digital image is stored on a computer so that it can be viewed on the monitor by a dentist. The teeth and bones of the jaw appear lighter on the digital image or conventional radiograph because fewer of the x-rays penetrate these structures. Dental cavities and changes caused by gum disease (periodontal disease) appear darker because of greater penetration. The dentist will interpret the x-ray image to safely detect hidden defects on hard and soft tissues which cannot be viewed directly by an intraoral dental examination.

2. How often should I have x-rays taken?
   

   How often dental x-rays are taken depends upon each individual patient’s dental health needs. If the patient is new to the dental office, a complete full mouth radiographic survey, including bite-wing x-rays, is taken. Dentists realize that every patient is different from the next and thus dental x-rays will be scheduled in an individualized basis for each patient. Only after a thorough examination, and review of your medical and dental history, will the dentist recommend whether to take x-rays and which type in order to complete a thorough examination of your mouth.

   When a patient returns for a recall examination, the need for additional dental x-rays is based upon patient signs and symptoms, your age and risk factors for development of dental caries and gum disease (periodontal disease). In general, children may need more dental x-rays than adults because their teeth and jaws are developing rapidly and their teeth are more likely to be affected by dental decay (dental caries) than adults.