When it comes to dental checkups, X-rays are not everyone's favorite. Yes, there are some situations in which you should skip your annual check-up, frequent x-rays are one of our key tools for diagnostics and we strongly advise you to keep them up to date.
What Can Be Diagnosed
Usually, we use x-rays to detect decay on the teeth as well as under the fillings and crowns. We cannot see these areas without x-rays. These are also the most likely places that develop cavities. Hidden decay remains undetected without x-rays. Until decay reaches the central part of a tooth, which contains nerves and blood vessels, some decay develops without symptoms. If we can find trouble spots early, while they are smaller, we can treat them in a more conservative way. The x-rays find much more than just cavities.
Our team can check your tooth-supporting bone as well. How stable your teeth depend on how much bone you have. It tells us if you have periodontal disease. Depending on the type of radiograph, we may be able to detect signs of strain, such as thick ligaments surrounding the teeth, if you have a crack or bite issue. Bony tumors can be detected with some images as well as other malignant diseases that can go unnoticed long term before they cause problems. We can also use an x-ray to inspect for tartar deposits beneath your gums. We will also use these images to determine what type of cleaning you will need when you first visit so that your journey toward great oral health can begin. If it has been a while, we will use x-ray images to determine whether you need more deep cleaning, or if numbing is necessary for some areas.
Are X-rays Safe?
Dental x-rays are among the least dangerous forms of medical imaging. We not only use extremely low radiation doses, but we also guarantee your x-rays are as safe as possible. We provide a lead apron to protect you. We employ the most up-to-date sensors available. We won't propose photographs that aren't essential. As a result, you can be confident that we are offering the greatest diagnoses at the lowest possible risk. Dental x-rays expose you to very little radiation, which protects you against infection, decay, tooth loss, abscesses, and other problems.
Thank you for trusting us with your oral health. Give us a call at (650) 321-9693.
2875 Middlefield Rd, Suite #1 Palo Alto, CA 94306-2548
When it comes to dental checkups, X-rays are not everyone's favorite. Yes, there are some situations in which you should skip your annual check-up, frequent x-rays are one of our key tools for diagnostics and we strongly advise you to keep them up to date.
