There's been a lot of concern recently about dental x-rays and whether they are safe. X-rays are an essential tool our dentists use to identify concerns that might be missed during an exam with just the naked eye. The good news is that today's digital x-rays emit about 90 per cent less radiation than the traditional films used in the past, which means they are unlikely to cause side effects. You can also rest assured that your team at Arthur Street Dental takes every measure to ensure the safety of your digital dental x-rays.
Why We Take Digital X-Rays
Digital x-rays give our dentists a baseline for your dental health, so they can monitor it and identify issues that could become future concerns. X-rays also help us diagnose problems, such as during a dental emergency. An x-ray lets our dentists see decay or infection inside your tooth so they can properly diagnose your needs.
X-rays also help in treatment planning for procedures such as orthodontic treatment, oral surgery, or dental implants.
Here are a few of the digital x-rays our dentists might recommend:
- Bite-wings — A set of bite-wing x-rays is recommended each year to monitor bone levels and the inner surfaces of your teeth for decay or changes.
- Panoramic x-rays — A pano provides a full two-dimensional view of your teeth, jawbone, and jaw joints. It is often used to plan orthodontic treatment or oral surgeries, such as wisdom tooth extractions.
- Cephalometric x-ray — This x-rays provides a side profile view and is used for orthodontic treatment planning.
- Cone Beam Computerised Tomography (CBCT) — This is a 3-D image that shows teeth, jawbone and joint structures. A CBCT scan is an integral part of planning for implant placement surgery.
Contact Arthur Street Dental
If you have questions about dental x-rays, we invite you to call our team on (02) 6652 1677 for more information.