Dental x-rays are an elusive practice that no one ever really understands. As patients, we simply go in for our dental check-up, agree to a routine x-ray if need be, then let our dentists tell us the results. We have little knowledge of the mechanics behind the process.

Image by Ben Dalton via Flickr

However, sometimes it is helpful to know how the x-rays work to give us a clearer explanation of exactly what’s going on inside the mouth. Knowing the ins and outs also makes dental visits a lot less daunting.

Why do we need them?

When we go for a check-up, we will usually escape the x-ray unless it is our annual x-ray again or if we have an issue that the dentists are concerned about and wants to monitor.

An x-ray might be done more often though; it all depends on a number of factors such as:

• How old a person is
• The state of one’s oral health
• Signs of possible oral symptoms
• Monitoring a history of gum disease or cavities

When going to a trustworthy Perth dentist who can perform a routine x-ray, you will get an overall picture of your oral health. It’s a good idea to get one done if you have never had any with your current dentist before. Children might need to be x-rayed a little more often due to the growth of their teeth. This is just to keep an eye making sure everything is developing normally as well as pinpoint any possible hiccups so preventative measures can be taken.

How does it work?

Now for the part you have all been waiting for, let’s go inside the dental x-ray machine to reveal exactly how it works.

When you are all set-up and the dentist presses the button and steps outside the room, the x-ray takes place. As the x-ray passes through the mouth, the harder elements such as the teeth and bones soak up more rays then the softer tissues such as the gums. This makes the teeth look lighter in the image. The darker parts of the tooth are signs of cavities or decay as these parts do not absorb the same level of rays as the rest.

Using the information recorded, the dentist will be able to pinpoint a number of issues from abscesses to cysts and infections. Therefore, you will have a reliable picture of exactly what’s going on in the mouth. If there’s an impacting wisdom tooth, the x-ray can also pick this up so you can resolve the issue promptly. Furthermore, the dentist uses the x-ray as a blueprint for the treatment and to pinpoint areas of one’s oral health that need attention.

There are many different types of x-rays that dentists offer. Some are used to display a certain type of issue in the mouth.

Different types of x-rays

To get a different perspective of the mouth, sometimes a different type of x-ray is needed. Here are some of the ones available which one might get as part of the treatment:

• The most common is Bitewing which requires a person to bite down on a paper-like square so the dentist gets a view of how the crowns match and also get a glimpse of any tooth decay.
• If the dentist wants to get a snapshot of all the teeth in one go, they will use the Palatal x-ray.
• Panoramic x-rays are taken when the wisdom teeth need to be checked or if there are jaw issues which need taking care of. This type of x-ray is in the form of a machine which rotates around the head.

Before undergoing any x-ray, make sure to talk to the dentist so you know exactly what to expect when it’s time to discuss the results. If your children are the ones who will undergo the procedure, it’s really helpful to have prior knowledge as to what you can or cannot do after it’s done.