A dental X-ray or radiograph is an important part of everyone’s oral care. Furthermore, it’s a vital tool that helps the dentist in diagnosing probable dental issues and address it promptly.  Types of dental X-rays show images that are not seen by the naked eye such as the insides of the teeth and beneath the gums. All things considered, the dentist will be able to diagnose gum disease, tooth infection, and cavities with an X-ray.

Importance of dental X-ray

An Ontario dentist examines your teeth and gums using a dental X-ray to detect underlying oral conditions. Specifically, it captures high quality images that reveal the following oral conditions.

• Infections of the bones of the tooth.
• Periodontal disease.
• Formed cysts, abscesses, and tumors.
• Developmental abnormalities of the teeth.
• Areas of decay below existing fillings and between teeth.

Types of dental X-rays

Generally, there are two types of x-rays and each of them serves a specific purpose. These types of dental x-rays help the dentist to provide an accurate diagnosis.

1.Intraoral X-rays

This is the common type of dental X-ray that dentists use. It shows if you have healthy tooth roots and monitors the health of your jaw and bone. This dental X-ray type are classified into three which enables the dentist to view the different parts of the mouth.

• Occlusal X-rays show the entire teeth development on the whole arch, showing the upper and lower part of the mouth.
• Periapical X-rays show the entire tooth from the crown to the bone area and reveals the upper and lower sections. Moreover, it helps your Ontario dentist in detecting abnormalities in the bone structure.   
• Bite-wing X-rays show the area from the tooth’s crown to the bone supporting each tooth. This X-ray is effective in checking if the crowns fit and in detecting bacteria in between teeth.

2.Extraoral X-rays

An extraoral X-ray is designed to detect a patient’s problem in the skull or jaw area. However, this type of X-ray does not  reveal the more minute details like the presence of bacteria. Dentists use this oral X-ray to check if the patient has mouth tumors and salivary gland problems. It also reveals fractures and helps in the placement of dental braces.

Your dentist may use a combination of these two types of dental X-rays for a detailed and accurate diagnosis.

Patients who are required to have dental X-rays

Dentists sometimes require digital dental X-rays for their patients to ensure that delivery of dental treatment would be accurate. Dentists who handle these different dental case scenarios take dental X-rays of their patient’s teeth.

• Patient has existing crowns, bridges, fillings, and other dental appliance. He is required to have a dental X-ray so as to detect decay below the existing dental restorations.
• Patient is diagnosed with periodontal disease. The dentist takes a dental X-ray to detect bone loss due to the gum disease. More importantly, this early detection is necessary to prevent further damage.
• Patients with xerostomia or dry mouth. Patients with dry mouth have low ph acid levels which lead to mineral breakdown and the presence of cavities. This condition is usually due to medication or as a result of cancer treatment. Suffice to say, a dental X-ray helps in monitoring their oral health.
• Children and teenagers with a history of tooth cavity. These patients are advised to undergo a dental X-ray at least once or twice a year.  The X-ray is also useful in keeping track of a child’s tooth development.
• Patients who smoke or chew tobacco. Smokers are more prone to gum disease and bone loss. Meanwhile, those who chew tobacco are prone to cavities. A dental X-ray is recommended to monitor and detect the presence of infection and diseases.

Optimal dental health should always be a priority. Hence, patients shouldn’t be worried about digital dental X-ray as it’s a tool that greatly helps dentists in detecting the dental problems. In fact, X-rays now are modern technological tools that provides high quality images of the teeth structure. Not to mention, it gathers and provides results quickly and pain-free. Your Ontario dentist uses the right type of dental X-ray to design the best dental treatment plan for you.