Your dentist may take dental x-rays if your are a new patient, have not been seen in a while, or are in for a follow-up visit after dental treatment. Below are the most common type of x-rays that would be taken and the reasons why:
• Bitewing x-rays help dentists look at bone levels between teeth, cavities between teeth, and the health of the bone between teeth.
• Periapical x-rays help dentists look at the root tips of teeth, the bone around teeth, abscesses, and other pathology.
• Complete Series is a combination of bitewing and periapical radiographs that shows all the teeth, roots and related areas of the jaws.
• Panoramic x-rays help visualize wisdom teeth, TMJ’s, major pathology in the jaws and sinuses, and help see areas of missing teeth. Continue reading Let’s Get Some Dental X-Rays!
Parents are often confused about when their child is old enough to visit the dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child’s first visit should be when their first tooth erupts – no later than two years old. From there on, the dentist will continue to recommend the frequency of the visits which the parents should follow.