Everything You Need to Know About X-Rays

The dental X-ray is one of the most valuable diagnostic tools that a dentist has. The image provided by the X-ray process allows dentists a close look at your mouth that they can't get otherwise. Children receive more X-rays than adults, but it's still a process that benefits everyone.

X-rayswere first discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895. Roentgen was a German physicist who discovered x-rays while experimenting with his cathode-ray tube. The rays produced by his tube could pass through human tissue, but couldn't do the same to bones or metal objects. He dubbed it the "X-ray" due to how little he knew about it at the time.

The first dental X-raywas taken in 1896 by Dr. Otto Walkhoff. He asked for help from a physics professor, Fritz Giesel. Walkhoff had Giesel take a radiograph of his own mouth. It took 25 minutes to provide results, but he was satisfied with them.

X-rays determine the current status of your dental health. An X-ray can reveal any traces of bone loss, infections in the root canal area, or even pockets of tooth decay. You need X-rays so that your dentist can identify any dental problems that may be developing.

There are two major categories of X-rays, and those categories contain types. The most common kind of X-ray is the intraoral X-ray. Here are the types that comprise it:

• Occlusal. Used to track the development of teeth. It's primarily used to highlight the baby and adult teeth of children.
• Bite-wing. Determines if decay is present in the teeth in the back of the mouth.
• Periapical. This will give your dentist a look at every inch of the tooth. From the crown to where the tooth is attached to your jaw.

The other category of X-rays is extraoral. These focus more on your jaw and skull than your teeth. They look for issues like impacted teeth rather than cavities.

Yes, X-rays are safe for everyone. There are extremely low amounts of radiation in them, despite what you may have heard. To combat that minimal amount, you'll be covered by a lead apron. With the appropriate level of shielding, an X-ray is even safe during pregnancy. Children are safe as well; there isn't enough radiation involved to harm them.

At the office of Ronald A. Murphy DMD, we care about our patients' dental health. That's why we're offering new patients an $89 specialthat includes X-rays. Contact ustoday to schedule a consultation!