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Radiology
Dental X-rays can provide valuable information about the patient's s oral health. They help dentists examine the subjacent bone, tooth roots or teeth that have not come out, as well as contact areas in between teeth.
In some cases dental X-rays can reveal a condition at an early stage, even before the patient might feel any sort of sign or symptom that something might be wrong. Dental X-rays can reveal:
- Small cavities in the teeth or under existing restorations;
- Bone alterations;
- Abscesses or cysts;
- Periodontal disease signs;
- Developmental anomalies and others;
- Some tumors;
- Trauma evidence;
- Systemic disease evidence.
Dentists prescribe dental X-rays after assessing the patients' necessities - background information on the health of the patient, assessment of the patient's dental background, examination, assessment of the patient's susceptibility to dental diseases and previous X-rays available. Based on this information the dentist can judge whether new X-rays are necessary.
If you are a new patient, your dentist might want to see previous X-rays. He might recommend a radiographic series of the mouth to learn more about hidden areas in the mouth in order to be able to diagnose any alterations that might occur afterwards.
Patients should let their dentists know if they are pregnant. Some procedures - like X-rays - can be postponed until the baby is born.
However, any dental disease not treated during pregnancy might affect the mother and the fetus. Dental X-rays might be necessary for diagnosis and treatment.
A lead jacket and a protective collar for thyroid are used when pregnant women need X-rays. This protects their thyroid ands abdomen. Any concern with the effects of any sort of drug, dental treatment or exposure to X-rays during pregnancy should be discussed with your dentist or physician.
Dental Digital Radiography
Dental digital radiography makes use of an electronic sensor that is sensitive to the position of X-rays just like a regular film is. This sensor - connected to a computer - creates a radiographic image of the tooth that is immediately displayed by a monitor.
This system sensibility reduces radiation by 90% when displaying the image.
Special filters for image treatment such as low relief, video inversion, pseudo colors, zoom, help the interpretation of digitalized image.
SOME ADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY
- It saves time;
- It suppresses the use of film;
- It reduces X-ray doses considerably;
- It improves diagnosis;
- It provides global informatization;
- It's economical