Dental x-rays

Name : Dinda Widya Melati

Nim : 221051023

class : Gigi A

Dental x-rays

Dental X-rays can spot trouble early on in your mouth, teeth, gums and jaw. Treating problems before they get serious can save money, pain and sometimes even your life.

X-rays are a form of energy that can travel through or be absorbed by solid objects. This energy is absorbed by dense objects, such as teeth and bones, and show up in X-rays as light-colored areas. X-rays pass through less dense objects, such as gums and cheeks, and appear as dark areas on X-ray film.

X-rays can help find problems that cannot be seen with an oral exam. Finding and treating problems early in their development may save you money, avoid discomfort (if these problems are treated at a later time) and possibly even save your life.

In adults, X-rays show:

1. Decay, especially small areas of decay between teeth.
2. Decay beneath existing fillings.
3. Bone loss in the jaw.
4. Changes in the bone or root canal due to infection.
5. Condition and position of teeth to help prepare for tooth implants, braces, dentures or other dental procedures.
6. Abscesses (an infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth).
7. Cysts and some types of tumors.

In children, X-rays determine:

1. If decay is developing.
2. If there is enough space in the mouth to fit all incoming teeth.
3. If wisdom teeth are developing.
4. If teeth are impacted (unable to emerge through the gums).

There are two main types of dental X-rays: intraoral (the X-ray film is inside the mouth) and extraoral (the X-ray film is outside the mouth).

Intraoral X-rays are the most common type of X-ray. There are several types of intraoral X-rays. Each shows different aspects of teeth.

Extraoral X-rays are used to detect dental problems in the jaw and skull. There are several types of extraoral X-rays.

How often X-rays need to be taken depends on your medical and dental history and current condition. Some people may need X-rays as often as every six months. Others who don’t have recent dental or gum disease and who have ongoing scheduled visits with their dentist may only need X-rays every couple of years. New patients may have X-rays taken at their first exam. First-visit X-rays are also used to compare with X-rays taken over time to look for problems and unexpected changes.

The amount of radiation emitted from X-rays is extremely small. Advances in dentistry — such as X-ray machines that limit the radiation beam to a small area; high-speed X-rays; use of lead-lined, full-body aprons; and federal laws that require accuracy and safety checks for X-ray machines — are a few of the improvements that limit the amount of radiation patients receive.