It’s not extremely comfortable. You have to put on the heavy apron, hold a stiff piece of film in your mouth, and sit still while your dentist’s assistant takes x-rays. Is it needed? Absolutely! No question about it. Ritchie Dental Group uses advanced dental technology to help our patients.
Your dentist can’t see everything that is going on with your teeth, bone, and surrounding tissue without x-rays.
What Hidden Problems Do Dental X-rays Detect?
- Cavities underneath existing bridgework, crowns, or other restorations
- Abscesses, cysts, and infections
- Cavities between teeth just underneath where adjacent teeth touch (interproximal cavities)
- The position of wisdom teeth
How Often Should X-rays Be Taken?
This depends on the dental patient. A patient with no history of decay, no current tooth decay, no braces, and no existing crowns, veneers, or bridgework is at low risk for cavities. A high-risk patient is in the opposite situation and may have one or more of the following: previous cavities, existing restorations, braces, worn-away enamel, or chipped or cracked teeth. In addition, patients with an eating disorder or other medical condition may be considered high risk. People who haven’t had their wisdom teeth extracted also need to be monitored with X-rays more frequently.
