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X-rays are a type of radiation and are made up of electromagnetic waves. At Osuna Dental Care, an x-ray machine passes these waves through your body, where they hit electrons in your tissues and bones. The electrons are excited and release energy from photons, which are absorbed into a film in the x-ray machine. The film develops an image of your internal anatomy that your dentist can use to diagnose various conditions like tooth decay or bone loss.

Why Do Dentists Use X-rays?

X-rays are a critical tool for general dentists. These images help dentists identify tooth decay, monitor changes in bone density over time, evaluate the status of developing teeth in children, locate impacted wisdom teeth, and diagnose jaw fractures. These functions support the general dentist’s ability to treat patients successfully.

X-rays are essential for detecting cavities in back teeth, where x-rays provide more precise images of these often-missed areas than other diagnostic tools. X-rays can also help detect tooth injury caused by trauma or poor oral hygiene habits.

The benefits of routine preventive dental care are another excellent reason to have regular dental checkups that include diagnostic X-rays. Early detection is crucial in preventing major dental problems and expensive treatments later. 

How Is An X-ray Performed?

An X-ray shows the mouth's teeth, bones, and soft tissue. The image is produced with a small amount of radiation. Digital radiography is the most common type of x-ray used today because it is more comfortable for the patient and has less radiation than traditional film x-rays. The dentist places a small camera inside the mouth and takes pictures of each tooth, the jawbone, and the salivary glands. Then the images are sent to a computer where they can be viewed by the dentist and stored on the computer’s hard drive. 

Is The X-ray Process Safe?

Yes, an X-ray process is safe and typically takes only a few minutes to complete. The benefit of getting an x-ray is that it gives the dentist an image of what is happening underneath the gums and between the teeth that can’t be seen during a visual exam. If your dentist detects any issues during an exam that the naked eye cannot see, they will often suggest getting an x-ray of your teeth to get a better view of the issue. In some cases, this may lead to a recommendation for root canal therapy if the tooth's root is infected or inflamed. If this is the case, it’s often best to get the procedure done as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the tooth.

Dental X-rays provide valuable information that your dentist uses to diagnose problems in their earliest stages before they become more severe and costly to treat. For the best dental services, visit Osuna Dental Care at 5900 Cubero Dr NE suite B, Albuquerque, NM 87109, or call (505) 884-1989.