Who's Afraid of Dental X-Rays?

Visits to the dentist are no longer nightmarish experiences. A trip to a modern dental clinic is the same as a visit to any doctor - you go, get examined, are treated for any problems that may exist, and go home. All this is done while ensuring the patient's comfort and safety. However, there are still many unsupported myths about dental treatments, and among the most common of these are those relating to dental X-Rays - they are unsafe and not essential.

Fact One: X-Rays Are Completely Safe

The thought of having radiation pass through your mouth can be disquieting. In the past, various precautions had to be taken to keep patients as safe as possible. Today, using digital X-Ray technology, the question of radiation risk does not arise. Digital X-Rays are entirely safe because the radiation levels are deficient. Digital X-Rays are used on pregnant and breastfeeding women with only a few minor additional safety precautions.

Fact Two: X-Rays from the Basis of Dental Care

X-Rays are used to provide your dentist with detailed information on the structure of your mouth that is not available on purely visual examination. Bone erosion, caries, and tooth decay are just a few of the problems that can be detected before they develop to the point that they are visual on the teeth and gum surfaces.

Dental X-Rays are the visual history of your dental health. The first X-Ray is the starting point. Over time and visits to the dentist, either for routine examinations or for treating specific problems, the condition of your teeth and gums will evolve, and X-Rays will usually be taken to record the changes. By comparing the latest X-Ray to previous ones, a pictorial historical record of the health of your teeth and gums will be created. This can be invaluable to your dentist because she:

• Has immediate access to all the information she needs to decide on the best course of treatment for any dental problems
• Knows where special care and attention need to be given during routine check-ups as old problems are immediately known
• Has the historical data that is needed to adequately anticipate the development of future problems so that it can be dealt with before they become serious

Digital X-Rays, as the name implies, do not require film. They are stored electronically. That means that they are available at any time and anywhere. For example, if you are traveling are require urgent dental treatment, the dentist you go to can ask your regular dentist to email your X-Rays across so that the information needed to give you the right dental care is immediately available.

Unlike the old film-based X-Ray technology, which took minutes and was not always are clear as it should have been, digital X-Rays are quick, painless, and transparent, and patients suffer no discomfort at all. Because of the speed and safety with which digital X-Ray technology functions, dental X-Rays may be taken as often as your dentist feels is required. There is no cause for concern if your dentist takes a lot of X-Rays - it only means that she is keeping a detailed record of dental history.

Here at Hills Dental Group, we welcome you and would love to keep you on track with your dental check-up and care. Call 408-725-1536 or email us at info@hillsdentalgroup.com to schedule an appointment.