Why Do Dentists Take X-Rays of Your Teeth?

Last updated 10 months ago

When your visit your dentist for a checkup or for specialized treatments, you may need to have a dental X-ray. An X-ray gives your dentist a great deal of information about what is happening inside your teeth and jaws. When your dentists reviews the X-ray film, he or she will be looking for:

Cavities
Dentists look for cavities on X-ray because the picture shows more detail than what the dentist can see with the naked eye. X-rays can show tiny cavities, as well as the extent to which a cavity has spread. This gives your dental provider an idea of how to proceed with treatments.

Alignment
An X-ray also shows your dentist the alignment of your teeth. How well your teeth align will help in determining if you need braces or in finding the source of jaw, face, neck, or tooth pain. It also helps in checking for tooth decay, since a misalignment can lead to a buildup of bacteria.

Tooth Development
In children's dentistry, an x-ray can give the dentist a glimpse into the teeth that are waiting to erupt. This can be useful for both baby and adult teeth. X-rays can give the dentist an idea of future dental issues the child may face as a result of spacing and alignment concerns.
Other Health Conditions
The dental x-rays are also a good tool to use to reveal other health conditions such as unusual growths in the sinus cavities, unusual plaque build up in the carotid arteries, etc.

Damage
Some dental X-rays can show damage to the nerve, root, pulp, and other parts of the tooth structure. An X-ray can be used if you were in an accident, or if you had an injury to the tooth. They can also show infection and abscesses below the gum line that can be caused by tooth decay, cuts, or even tumors, growths, or cancer.

If you need X-rays as part of your general dentistry checkup, visit the offices of Cascade Dental in Vancouver. We offer children's and cosmetic dentistry services as well. Call (360) 213-1999 for an appointment today.