Dental X-rays are an important tool for monitoring your oral health and diagnosing possible issues. If you’re nervous about this, or any other dental procedure, the best thing to do is to find out what to expect from your appointment. Here’s what you should know.
How Should You Prepare? Other than brushing your teeth well before your appointment, there’s not much you need to do to prepare for your dental X-ray. If you wear earrings or other facial jewelry, you may need to remove it before your X-ray so that light scattering off the metal doesn’t obscure the image. What Should You Expect? Depending on the clinic and the type of X-ray, you may have your dental X-ray done in the same room where you get your examination, or you may be taken to a separate room. After the X-ray and your cleaning, you’ll meet with your dentist, who’ll look over your X-rays and advise you of any concerns. Are There Safety Issues You Should Know About? Although X-rays do emit radiation, the exposure is very low, so the procedure is quite safe. At Forest Lawn Dental, we use state of the art digital xray technology which emits a very low dose of radiation compared to the traditional film xrays. As an added precaution, you’ll wear a lead bib during your X-rays to protect your vital organs from unnecessary radiation exposure. While it’s safe for most people, if you’re pregnant, or think you might be, you should avoid all types of X-rays, since even low levels of radiation exposure are considered unsafe for a developing fetus. Do You Need an X-Ray at Every Checkup? The need for a dental X-ray is dependent on your overall oral well-being. If you have excellent dental health, then it’s likely that you won’t need an X-ray at every visit. More frequent X-rays are required when there are ongoing dental challenges. What Are the Different Types of Dental X-Rays? There are many different types of dental X-rays, each with their own purpose. During a bitewing X-ray, you’ll be asked to bite down on a piece of plastic. It captures an image of a small area of your mouth and allows your dentist to check for cavities between your teeth. In the case of gum disease, it can help identify changes in your jawbone. Similar to bitewing X-rays are occlusal X-rays, which are often used to monitor the development of teeth in children. If your dentist wants an image of all your teeth, including those that still haven’t emerged, they may order a panoramic X-ray, which is taken by a machine that circles around your head.
Visit A Family Dentist In Calgary
Getting regular cleanings and checkups, and dental X-rays as needed, are an important aspect of managing your oral health. At Forest Lawn Dental Centre in Calgary, we offer dental care for the whole family. We’re currently accepting new patients, so contact us today to book an appointment.