Why You Need Dental X-Rays

Dr. Mark Grucella, DDS • March 30, 2017

Learn how often you should get radiographs and how safe they are

X-rays, also known as radiographs, capture images of the parts of your mouth your dentist can’t see. That’s because hard tissues like bones and teeth absorb more radiation than softer gum and cheek tissues, creating a picture that clearly shows differences between these types of tissues.

Dentist can use X-ray technology to diagnose cavities, gum disease, infection, tooth cracks, bone loss and other problems that aren’t visible to the eye. In addition, X-rays help the dentist find and treat dental problems early in their development, which can potentially save you money and unnecessary discomfort. X-rays play a big part in keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

What Problems Can Dental X-Rays Detect?

Dental X-rays can be used to:

Show areas of decay that may not be visible with an oral exam, especially cavities between teeth
Identify cavities occurring under an existing filling
Reveal bone loss and periodontal disease
Reveal changes in the bone or in the root canal resulting from infection
Assist in the preparation of tooth implants, braces, dentures, or other dental procedures
Reveal an abscess (an infection at the root of a tooth)
Reveal other developmental abnormalities, such as cysts and some types of tumors
Incipient (early stage) decay
See the status of developing teeth
Determine if primary teeth are being lost quickly enough to allow permanent teeth to come in properly
Check for the development of wisdom teeth and identify if the teeth are impacted (unable to emerge through the gums)

How Often Should Teeth Be X-Rayed?

The frequency of getting X-rays of your teeth often depends on your medical and dental history and current condition. Some people may need X-rays as often as every six months; others with no recent dental or gum disease and who visit their dentist regularly may get X-rays only once a year. If you are a new patient, your dentist may take X-rays as part of the initial exam and to establish a baseline record from which to compare changes that may occur over time.

People who fall into the high risk category who may need X-rays taken more frequently include:

Children generally need more X-rays than adults because their teeth and jaws are still developing and because their teeth are smaller and enamel of their teeth is finer. As a result, decay can reach the inner part of the tooth, dentin, quicker and spread faster.
Adults with extensive restorative work, such as fillings, crowns and bridges to look for decay beneath existing fillings.
Adults that wear removable appliance like dentures and partials.
People who drink a lot of sugary and acidic beverages .
People with periodontal disease to monitor bone loss.
People who have dry mouth - called xerostomia - whether due to medications or disease states (such as Sjogren's syndrome, damaged salivary glands, radiation treatment to head and neck). Dry mouth conditions can lead to the development of cavities.
Smokers to monitor bone loss resulting from periodontal disease.

How Safe Are Dental X-Rays?

Exposure to all sources of radiation -- including the sun, minerals in the soil, appliances in your home, and dental X-rays -- can damage the body's tissues and cells and can lead to the development of cancer in some instances. Fortunately, the dose of radiation you are exposed to during the taking of dental X-rays is extremely small, especially if your dentist is using digital X-rays.

Advances in dentistry over the years have lead to a number of measures that will minimize the risks associated with X-rays. However, even with the advancements in safety, the effects of radiation are added together over a lifetime. So every little bit of radiation you receive from all sources counts.

If you are concerned about radiation exposure due to X-rays, talk to your dentist about how often X-rays are needed and why they are being taken.

Types of Dental X-Rays:

·Bite-Wing x-rays show both lower and upper back teeth in one x-ray. These types of x-rays are used to diagnose in-between and chewing surface cavities. They are also used to evaluate bone around the teeth and aid in diagnosing periodontal disease.

·Panoramic x-ray shows a broad view of the teeth, entire jaws, nasal area, sinus and large lower jaw nerves. This type of x-rays are usually used for extractions, implant placements, locating and evaluating 3rd (wisdom) molars, looking for any abnormalities (cysts or abscesses) and when going thru orthodontic treatments.

·Periapical x-rays provide a view of the entire tooth, from the crown to the bone that helps to support the tooth. These type of x-rays are used to find dental problems below the gum line or in the jaw, such abscesses, cysts, and bone changes.

·3D images or Cone Beam Imaging is a diagnostic imaging technology that uses radiation in a manner similar to conventional radiographic imaging, with the difference being that cone beam images are converted into a three-dimensional view that can then be manipulated by computer software for a wide variety of applications, including implant, orthodontic, TMJ, and diagnostic purposes.

For more information, please contact us at your convenience by calling 330-733-7911 or sending us a website message.

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Oral Health Awareness is Important Every Month of the Year!

By Dr. Mark Grucella, DDS • July 26, 2023

Oral health plays a significant role in our overall health, both physical and mental. Therefore, it’s beneficial and rewarding to think about oral health every day. There are national awareness months throughout the year that focus attention on different aspects of oral health and the importance of taking care of ourselves with good practices, routines, and professional care. Here are some of the months receiving national recognition for different types of oral health topics:

Digital Dentures vs. Traditional Denture

By Dr. Mark Grucella, DDS • February 8, 2023

Learn about the many advantages of digital dentures compared to a traditional denture.

Just Like Halloween, There’s Really Nothing To Fear

By Dr. Mark Grucella • October 22, 2022

Halloween can understandably be a scary time of year. Afterall, when October rolls around, we start seeing the emergence of witches, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, vampires, bats, spiders, and everything else that can make the hair on the backs of our necks stand up. But then, October 31 st comes and goes, and we realize, there really wasn’t anything to fear in the first place. It was just our worries, anxieties, or the unknown running wild and getting the better of us. Time and time again, our new patients tell us how dental care can be a lot like Halloween. They have anxiety because of the unknown, or they had an unfavorable experience in the past that resulted in a reluctance to continue to seek care on a regular basis. We are proud to say we were a breath of fresh air for these patients. Once they came to us, they discovered there really wasn’t anything to fear and now look forward to each and every appointment so they can enjoy the many benefits of routine dental care. As we like to say, “Our Dental Care Does Not Scare” and here’s why: Friendly, Fun, Non-Judgmental Style of Care When patients come to one of our three Akron-Canton area dentist offices, they find a welcoming and friendly team of professionals focused only on the comfort, care, and well-being of our patients. We also like to have some fun! In addition to being dedicated dental professionals, we are sports fans who like to support our teams. When there’s a big game, you’ll see each of us wearing our favorite team’s jersey whether it’s the Guardians, Browns, and yes, even the Steelers. Holidays also provide us with great opportunities throughout the year to incorporate some fun by decorating our offices and ourselves with the applicable ornamentation. What’s really special is watching how our patients love to join in on the fun and dress up for the big games and holidays too! Informing and Empowering Our Patients Before we proceed with any type of care, we provide our patients with all the information, explanations, and answers to questions they want. Costs are also shared up-front so approval can be given and there are no surprises. We make sure our patients are always in charge of their individual care. Navigating Dental Insurance Benefits Like any type of insurance, dental benefits can get complicated. What’s covered? What’s not? Am I taking full advantage of all my dental insurance benefits? These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions by our patients. We help you navigate your dental insurance plan and understand all your benefits. No Dental Insurance, No Problem Not everyone has a dental insurance plan and the ability to minimize their out-of-pocket dental care cost. That’s why we created an in-house discount dental plan. It helps our patients who are not covered by dental insurance save on everything from cleanings and fillings to cosmetic procedures and crowns. See Why There’s Nothing To Fear While many people put off dental care because of worries or anxieties, we invite you to give us a try by scheduling an appointment at one of our three Akron-Canton area dental office locations. Please call us at 330-733-7911 or send us a request for an appointment here on our website by visiting this link: REQUEST APPOINTMENT Just like Halloween, we’re confident you are going to see there really is nothing to fear. In fact, you may just find you’ll have some fun!