Why Do Patients Need X-rays?

Dental X-rays are essential diagnostic tools that help our dentists detect and diagnose various oral health issues that may not be visible during a regular dental exam. These issues include:

• Cavities: X-rays allow us to detect cavities between teeth or beneath fillings.
• Gum Disease: X-rays help in assessing the health of your gums and detecting signs of periodontal disease.
• Impacted Teeth: They aid in identifying impacted teeth, such as wisdom teeth, which may require extraction.
• Bone Health: X-rays reveal bone loss due to gum disease or other conditions.
• Root Infections: They assist in diagnosing infections or abscesses at the tooth root.

By detecting these problems early, we can provide timely treatment, preventing further complications and preserving your oral health.

Are X-rays Safe?

Yes, dental X-rays are safe when performed with proper precautions. At Lincoln Shine Dental, we adhere to strict safety protocols to minimize radiation exposure. The amount of radiation emitted during a dental X-ray is minimal and comparable to the natural radiation you receive from the environment on a daily basis. Additionally, we utilize digital X-ray technology, which further reduces radiation exposure compared to traditional film X-rays.

X-radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible. It can pass through the body and get absorbed differently by different tissues. This differential absorption will give us the chance to see the image of those tissues on an x-ray film after the x-ray beam passes through the tissue and hits the film. The dosage of x-radiation that our body receives through dental x-rays is minimal and can be compared to the natural background x-radiation that we receive annually from cosmic, terrestrial and internal sources. For instance, radiation dose from a panoramic x-ray is equivalent to 1.7 days of natural background radiation, a full-mouth intraoral series is equivalent to 4.3 days, a single peri-apical and bitewing is equal to 6 hours  and 4 bitewings equal to 17 hours of background radiation .

Types of Dental X-rays

There are several types of dental X-rays, each serving a specific purpose:

• Bitewing X-rays: These X-rays capture images of the upper and lower teeth when the patient bites down. They are commonly used to detect cavities between teeth and assess the fit of dental restorations.
• Periapical X-rays: These X-rays focus on one or two specific teeth, capturing images of the entire tooth from crown to root. They help in diagnosing dental abscesses, root infections, and bone loss.
• Panoramic X-rays: This type of X-ray provides a broad view of the entire mouth, including the teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures. Panoramic X-rays are useful for assessing wisdom teeth, jaw disorders, and planning orthodontic treatment.
• Extra-oral Lateral Cephalometric Image: Aiding in orthodontic planning, facial growth assessment, and analyzing jaw relationships.
• Cone Beam CT (CBCT) Images: Offering detailed 3D images for complex procedures, including implant placement, orthodontic planning, and assessing oral and maxillofacial pathology.

Dr. Mahi’s Expertise

Dr. Mahi Mehr’s expertise extends beyond clinical practice. As the author of the Temporal Bone chapter in the renowned textbook “Maxillofacial Cone Beam Computed Tomography”, she has demonstrated her commitment to advancing the field of oral and maxillofacial radiology. Moreover, her research contributions, including thesis projects conducted at the Iowa School of Dentistry and articles published in peer-reviewed medical and dental radiology journals, underscore her dedication to excellence and innovation in dental care.