Preventative Treatments: Dental X-rays

Dental radiographs ( or dental x-rays) are important preventive and diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not clinically visible during a dental exam. We use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities that may otherwise go undetected.

Dental x-rays reveal:

Abscesses or cysts
Bone loss due to gum disease
Tumors (cancerous and non-cancerous)
Decay between teeth and under old restorations
Developmental abnormalities
Poor tooth and root positions
Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line

Detecting and treating dental problems at an early stage saves you time, money, and unnecessary discomfort, not to mention your teeth!

Dental x-ray safety:
We are all exposed to “natural background radiation” from our environment. Since we use low radiation digital x-rays, thee amount of exposure from four bite-wing x-rays is equal to the amount of radiation a person receives in Colorado Springs in one day from natural sources.

How frequently should dental x-rays be taken?
The need for dental x-rays depends on each individual’s oral health needs. We base our recommendations on a review of your medical and dental history, dental exam, signs and symptoms, age consideration, and risk for disease.
A panoramic(wrap around) x-ray is necessary every 5 years. This assures us that there are no undetected dental pathologies in the areas of your teeth and jaws.
Bite-wing x-rays are taken during our patient’s recall maintenance cleanings and are generally recommended once or twice a year (case dependent) to detect early onset dental problems.