Have you ever wondered why dental x-rays might be a necessary part of your regular dental exam? One of our goals at Krengel Dental is to keep patients informed about their oral health, from the proper hygiene, to better understanding each part of their visit at our office. This includes the importance of dental x-rays. Here is everything you need to know about them.
Why X-Rays?
To put it simply, dental x-rays are images of your teeth that your dentist will use to evaluate your oral health. An x-ray will capture what is going on beneath your gums and soft tissue so your dentist can evaluate the condition of your teeth and jaw bone. This detailed look at your mouth will help your dentist identify issues that might not be visible during a typical exam.
There are two different types of x-rays that your dentist will conduct depending on your oral health. The first kind of x-ray your dentist might conduct is a therapeutic x-ray. A therapeutic x-ray is the standard x-ray you’ll get during your dental exam. Once again, the purpose of this x-ray is to give your dentist a holistic overview of your dental health.
Another type of x-ray your dentist may conduct is diagnostic. These typically take place before some type of dental procedure, like a root canal. This type of x-ray gives a comprehensive overview of the entire tooth, from the root up. Diagnostic x-rays allow your dentist to plan your treatment plan accordingly, so everything goes smoothly.
How Often Should I Get an X-Ray?
Many patients believe that they should get a dental x-ray every year, however, the American Dental Association only recommends x-rays every 2-3 years. This does not include any necessary diagnostic x-rays, of course, and is only the case for an adult patient with no history of cavities and no risk factors for cavities. Otherwise, we recommend getting updated x-rays each year.
Need to schedule your next cleaning appointment or interested in dental x-rays? Contact us today to get scheduled!
