Dental X-Rays

Anytime you go to the dentist, you are sure to experience different smells and sounds. Some of them might be strange or a little nerve-wracking, but they’re normal and part of the routine.

Still, at Ivory Dental, we realize that it might be off-putting for you. Therefore, we work to ensure that the appointment is as comfortable as can be. Albuquerque residents are sure to appreciate what we do to assist you and help you want to go to the dentist.

Typically, you arrive for your dental cleaning appointment, where you get a thorough and professional cleaning. However, before that happens, we might recommend dental X-rays. These are an important part of your oral health.

We often use X-rays during the checkup to locate any problems, such as cavities. That way, we can clean your teeth and offer solutions to help you fix those issues before they become severe.

What They Are and Why They’re Needed?

For the most part, getting X-rays isn’t a fun experience, but they don’t hurt. If you have a small mouth, you might find that it’s uncomfortable, but X-rays are so important!

The procedure starts with you holding a device between your teeth for a few seconds. While you’re doing that, we take a picture of the teeth that shows the bone structure and helps us find potential issues.

X-rays can show a lot of information. We see the overall condition of your teeth, jaw placement, tooth roots, and facial bone. That way, we can find and treat different dental problems early before they become uncomfortable or painful.

Usually, X-rays use energy that travels through solid things and gets absorbed by them. Your teeth and bones take on that energy to show on the special picture as lightly colored. We use them to detect issues that the oral exam doesn’t find. That way, you treat the problem sooner, save money, and more.

Problems Detected with an X-ray?

An X-ray is a simple and essential tool to help your dentist diagnose problems with your teeth and jaw bone. However, it can work differently for adults than for children.

For kids, X-rays can find:

• Decay
• Impacted teeth (can’t break through your gum line)
• Plenty of space in the mouth to fit in all of your new, permanent teeth
• Wisdom teeth development

In adults, an X-ray can show:

• Decay, even in small areas between your teeth
• Decay under a filling
• Abscesses (infections in the tooth’s root or between the gums and tooth)
• Bone loss
• Cysts or tumors
• Changes in your bone or root canal from an infection
• Condition and position of your teeth to assist with implants, braces, and other services

As you can easily see now, X-rays are vital during a dental checkup. We often recommend that you have one performed once a year, but this can change based on your specific issues and needs.

Who Should Have an X-ray?

In a sense, everyone should have an X-ray done on their mouth. We often recommend them at your dental checkup, but we don’t require it. Sometimes, people can’t afford the service immediately.

We can still clean your teeth, and you can save up the money for the X-ray expense for your next cleaning. However, if you’re not getting an X-ray because of fear, we can help you make the experience less nerve-wracking. Just let us know that you’re skittish, and we focus on making you feel more comfortable.

Remember: X-rays are important, and they can save your teeth!

How Often Are X-rays Needed?

It depends on a variety of factors as to when you should have an X-ray and how often. Typically, we recommend at least one X-ray a year, but you might need them each time you visit for a cleaning (twice a year).

Some people choose to wait and have X-rays done every three years. We can help you decide how often you need an X-ray. If you have a history of dental problems or are prone to cavities, it might be best to have them done more often. Otherwise, we can assess your needs at each visit and put off X-rays when we feel it’s appropriate.

If this is your first time visiting Ivory Dental in Albuquerque, we’re sure to want X-rays. That way, we get more information about your history and can compare them to future ones to show changes.

Types of X-rays Available

We offer two types of dental X-rays, and we often decide which one is right for you when you arrive for your appointment.

Intraoral X-rays are the most common version, where the film goes in your mouth. We use different ones to show various aspects of the teeth. These include:

• Bitewing – They show details from the upper and lower teeth in one area of the mouth.
• Occlusal – These X-rays tack the development and placement of a full tooth arch in the upper or lower jaw.
• Periapical – With these, we see the full tooth from the crown to the jaw. Each one shows the teeth in one area of your upper or lower jaw.

Extraoral X-rays are done on the outside of your mouth and can show us dental problems in the jaw or skull. They include:

• Panoramic – We can see the full mouth (lower or upper jaw) in one X-ray.
• Tomographs – This shows a slice of the mouth and blurs out any other layers.
• Sialogram – With this one, we inject a special dye into the salivary glands to show them on your X-ray.
• Cephalometric projections – Here, we can see one side of your head, focusing on tooth placement and your jaw profile.

Are Both Types Safe?

Yes, both types of X-rays are safe, even though they do emit radiation. However, the amount is small and deemed appropriate for children and adults. With that, we use the right tools, such as a lead covering, to protect you during the process.

We do ask that you let us know if you have any medical conditions or are pregnant at the time of your appointment. That way, we can determine what precautions to take.

Feel Safe with X-Rays at Ivory Dental

If it has been a while since your last dental visit, you should consider a checkup. Ivory Dental is here to help, and we care about the health of your smile. Therefore, when you arrive at your appointment, we are sure to request dental X-rays.

Though you have the option to say no, we recommend that you have them. Yes, it can be a bit uncomfortable while the device is in or near your mouth. However, it’s a great tool to find problems now before they become severe and painful.

With them, we can get so much more information about your teeth and mouth. That way, we can treat any issues immediately and prevent future problems from happening.

Please call us today to make an appointment at our Albuquerque office. We can’t wait to check out your teeth.