If you’re thinking about going to the dentist, you may be wondering whether you’ll need x-rays during your visit. Are dental x-rays really necessary? What can dentists tell about your oral health from an x-ray? At DK Dental Care, we want our patients to understand the value of yearly dental x-rays. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
X-rays are one of the most important tools used in modern dentistry. Why? Because they let your dentist, such as Dr. David Keeling, see below the surface of your mouth and diagnose dental issues that may otherwise remain hidden.
X-rays use a special type of high-energy electromagnetic radiation. This radiation is very intense, so the soft tissues of your body, such as your skin and organs, cannot absorb it. Most of the energy just goes straight through these tissues. That’s why this type of tissue is very faint in x-rays.
However, denser tissue such as bone, enamel, and the other structures of your teeth can absorb this x-ray radiation. By using a special type of film or digital sensor, x-rays can be used to create an image of these tissues.
Using these images, your dentist can look for hidden issues with your teeth and gums, and ensure that they get a full understanding of your dental health.
If you’re coming to DK Dental Care or another dentist in Greenfield, New Berlin or Franklin for the first time, you will need to get x-rays. Dentists usually require new adult patients to get x-rays on their first visit to their office. There are a few reasons for this.
First, it ensures that your dentist has a deep understanding of your oral health. If they only conduct a visual exam, they may miss some important information about your mouth.
In addition, x-rays help identify dental work like fillings, crowns, implants, and other such treatments which may otherwise be hard to detect. X-rays let your dentist learn more about the dental care you’ve received in the past and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. As long as your mouth is healthy, you likely won’t need to have x-rays again for 2-3 years.
X-rays aren’t just used to check on your overall dental health. They are also very useful for planning dental treatment such as a filling, the placement of a crown or a dental implant, or for preparing for a tooth extraction.
Usually, you will need to undergo additional x-rays before you get this kind of dental treatment. X-rays used to prepare for dental treatment usually focus on just a few of your teeth, rather than your entire upper and lower arch of teeth.
Though the idea of being exposed to the radiation of an x-ray may seem intimidating, it’s completely safe. We use the latest technology and low exposure x-rays at DK Dental Care. So don’t wait. If you need a checkup in Muskego, Franklin or Greenfield, Dr. David Keeling is here to help. Contact us at (414) 529-3253 to get started, or come by our office at 5535 S 108th Street, Suite 1, Hales Corners, WI 53130 to make an appointment in person.
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