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Dental x-ray is a method of examination that helps the dentist to correctly diagnose and build a treatment plan. pictures show dentist what is hidden from the eyes, with their help, he can easily see if there is caries, gum disease, the general condition of the teeth. This diagnosis is very valuable for both the patient and the doctor. It allows you to quickly determine the scope of work and conduct high-quality therapy, relieve pain and unpleasant symptoms. You can familiarize yourself with the features of this survey in a few minutes.
Why do you need a dental x-ray?
Radiation diagnostics is needed in most cases in the treatment of teeth. Without accurate images of the oral cavity, the doctor cannot determine the entire affected area and Spread illness. Many problems cannot be assessed visuallysuch as nerve damage. X-ray reflects bone tissue well, so this is a very effective technique for examining teeth. Soft tissues also cast a shadow on the photo, and the dentist can use them to detect an abscess, cyst, or tumor.
Dentist during a visual examination can only suggest the cause of pain, bleeding or other problems. For an accurate diagnosis, he needs an image of the internal structure of the oral cavity: gums, teeth, roots, canals. The procedure is always carried out before the diagnosis and treatment regimen. X-ray examination is necessary not only at the first stage, it is used to determine the effectiveness of therapy.
It is imperative that during the cleaning and filling of the canals a series of pictures. They determine the depth of each channel and the tactics of its sealing. If the work on the treatment of the tooth is carried out incorrectly, for example, the canal is not completely sealed, this will lead to re-inflammationand various complications are possible, in the form of new dental problems. You can not do without such technology after prosthetics, complex removal, treatment of periodontal disease. That is, an x-ray of the jaw is needed to make the correct diagnosis and to control over the course of therapy.
How it’s made
The process takes place in a separate room, such x-ray zones are available in most dental clinics. The walls and floor in this room are covered with lead material, which protects other rooms from the rays. The office is equipped with equipment, sometimes several types of equipment, as there are different types of x-rays of teeth.
No preparation before procedure not required. The patient removes jewelry so that they do not distort the picture. To protect other parts of the body, the patient is offered to put on a special cover from the neck to the waist, in medicine this is called a lead apron. A special fabric does not transmit radiation rays, so the radiation dose is significantly reduced. Then make a row pictures or only one, depending on the goals of the doctor and the complaints of the patient. The procedure for obtaining images is different, it depends on the type of equipment used in the X-ray room, as well as on the scope of tasks.
Bitewing radiography
This is the easiest and fastest way to get an image of the internal structure of the jaw. This requires the simplest technique, so this technique is very popular in many dental centers. The patient sits on a chair, applies a small film to the gum in the desired area of the mouth, on which the image is then displayed. The film is placed on the side of the tongue and held there with the help of a bite plate. The technician presses the remote button and an image appears on the film. One such picture shows several teeth, the bone between the teeth, the canal, the periodontium. For complete information about problem area do 4 photo… results usually have to wait no more than 5-10 minutes, immediately after the procedure, the patient receives a series of pictures and gives them to your dentist.
A variation of this technique is the procedure, which is called the “complete set”. Photo do exactly the same thing, but on a larger scale. To examine the entire jaw, the doctor needs 14 to 20 individual films of the image. From this “mosaic” they make up a clear picture. “Complete set” is recommended at the first visits to the dentist to study all possible problems and their prevention.
Periapical radiography
This type of diagnosis is carried out to examine a separate part of the jaw, the picture shows the entire tooth with the root and the gum near it, the channels are clearly visible. The process is no different from the previous type of examination: the photo is taken on a film that is applied to the diseased tooth. In fact, this is another kind of bitewing x-ray. This method is also used to control the treatment of a particular tooth, determine the cause of pain, bleeding. The advantage of the method is that the patient receives a lower dose of radiation.
Occlusal x-ray
Such a picture is taken when an image of the entire row of teeth is needed. In the office, the patient does the same, but the film is clamped with teeth from a different angle. The plate is placed between the upper and lower row, and bite. The photo shows all the teeth of the upper jaw or lower, or both at once. This technique is indispensable for the treatment and diagnosis of bite.
Orthopantomogram (OPTG)
A more informative way is a panoramic shot. This requires a new generation of equipment. The patient still needs to remove jewelry and put on a protective lead membrane.
Stages of the procedure:
- The patient is taken to an orthopantomograph and told how to stand properly.
- Hands need to hold on to special handrails, some orthopantomograph models also have a holder for the head. It is very important that the subject does not move during Survey, as the results will be skewed.
- There is a plastic tube in the apparatus chamber, the laboratory assistant puts a disposable cover on it. The patient clamps the tube with his teeth and assumes a fixed position.
- The camera will begin to rotate around the patient’s head and take pictures.
- Sometimes the radiologist may ask you to reposition your head or body for a different view.
As a result,, dentist receives a panoramic image of the dentition, roots, jawbone. One such session replaces 14-20 bitewing radiographs.
Cone Beam Computed Tomography
New technologies are increasingly replacing film X-ray machines. In dentistry, the most advanced diagnostic method is CBCT or 3D dental X-ray. The procedure is exactly the same as a panoramic shot. The difference is only in the results. CBCT provides comprehensive information about the patient’s jaw. While the device’s camera rotates around the patient’s head, data from it is transmitted to the computer monitor. In this case, the image is not obtained in the form of pictures, but in view three-dimensional model. Dentist can examine in detail the soft and bone tissue in any part of the oral cavity. Moreover, the result is transferred to a disk or a flash card; when viewing, each individual section is magnified many times over. Therefore, this method allows you to find even the smallest pathologies and prevent most problems. This method is not often used, since it is more expensive than all other types of examination.
When is X-ray required?
During a visual examination, the dentist can see approximately 40% of the oral cavity. However, most of the problems lie inside: in the canals, roots, interdental space. Therefore, most of the complaints of patients can be resolved only after X-ray diagnosis.
Indications for examination:
- caries in any part of the jaw, including under the crown;
- root destruction: fractures, cracks, depletion of bone tissue;
- periodontitis – destruction of the bone, while the gums become inflamed and bleed, the teeth begin to stagger and hurt;
- broken bite;
- pathology of the dental joint;
- abscesses and tumors, cysts;
- periodontitis – inflammation of the root, accompanied by the appearance of a cyst, which increases.
Painful sensations do not always appear, so patients often delay treatment. Running periodontitis leads to flux and tooth loss.
In addition, without a detailed examination, they do not clean the canals, prosthetics and implantation, bone grafting, or orthodontic treatment.
Where can it be made
Most dental clinics have an X-ray room where the patient can go through the procedure without leaving the building and return to their dentist with the images. State clinics also have such facilities, but only of the old type. This means that you will have to go through the procedure several times and pay less. Also, old equipment has large doses of radiation. Unfortunately, many private dentistry are also equipped with such equipment. Sometimes a private doctor may refer you to another diagnostic center to obtain data. Cone beam computed tomography is only available in progressive private clinics, but the accuracy of the results fully pays for itself.
The price for the service will depend on the type of examination. For example, a bitewing x-ray costs between $3 and $10, depending on the amount of pictures. At the same time, in both public and private institutions, prices are almost the same. Panoramic image will cost about 20-25 dollars. It can be done only in private institutions, but some of the clinics can provide such a service for free if the patient is being treated by them. The most expensive diagnostics is CBCT, it is done in single diagnostic and dental centers. Its cost will be 50-60 dollars.
Examination of children
Often, an x-ray of a tooth is prescribed for young children. You should not be afraid of this, since such an examination for babies sometimes more important than adults. Milk teeth are exposed to carious problems often, while caries appears in inaccessible places. As with an adult, the dentist cannot fully assess the condition and depth of the problem in a child. For an accurate assessment of the situation, treatment and prevention of diseases, an x-ray is needed. Also, a photo of milk teeth helps to determine the process of eruption of molars, the quality of bone tissue, and the formation of a bite. In childhood, it is easiest to prevent the incorrect formation of the dentition. If such problems are not solved in time, at a more mature age it will take longer and more difficult.
For small patients, only minimal doses of radiation are used. The doctor builds the tactics of treatment and diagnosis in such a way as not to expose the child to radiation once again. The procedure is the same as for adults: the rest of the body is covered with a protective apron, the session lasts a couple of minutes, no pain or discomfort occurs. In addition, some clinics use a collimator – a tube that is attached to the apparatus. This device reduces the x-ray beam and changes its contour, as a result, children receive an even smaller share of radiation.
X-ray for pregnant and lactating women
Women during pregnancy must be seen by a dentist as part of a routine checkup. The fact is that destructive and inflammatory processes in the gums and roots of teeth can lead to negative effect on the whole body. This situation is highly undesirable when carrying a child, so a pregnant woman is sometimes prescribed x-rays. To examine the expectant mother, only minimal doses of radiation are used, they try not to take panoramic pictures, replacing them with sighting ones. However, radiation is still present, which raises the question in patients: is it possible to take an x-ray of a pregnant woman?
During of pregnancy, of course, it is better to avoid such a diagnosis. Manufacturers of new technology claim that it is absolutely safe for women even during this period. But still an opinion doctors on this account remain skeptical. Such an examination can be prescribed only when the disease threatens life more than possible negative impact fetal radiography. In the third trimester, such diagnostics can be carried out without harm to the fetus. In the process of receiving pictures the patient tightly close the chest, neck, abdomen, pelvic area.
After childbirth Women problems with teeth often occur, mainly due to the loss of useful microelements. Nursing mothers should not be afraid of x-rays. This does not affect the structure of milk at all (this does not apply to studies of the abdominal and chest cavity). Women during lactation are x-rayed under a protective apron. You can feed the baby after the x-ray on the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions from Patients
Is an x-ray harmful?
Radiography is based on radiation exposure. This sounds quite menacing to the average layman. In the meantime, everyone receives a daily dose of radiation, even our bodies are radioactive. The background level of radiation per day is 10 µSv (microsieverts). To get 4 photos with On a bitewing X-ray, the patient receives 20-51 μSv. A panoramic image gives 5-25 µSv. CBCT is accompanied by a greater radiation exposure, in one session a person receives from 20 µSv to 700 µSv. The level of radiation will depend on the settings and type of apparatus, the width of the study area.
Thus, there is no direct threat in the procedure. However, radionuclides can accumulate, so diagnostics are prescribed if necessary. After the session, the radiologist must record how many Sieverts the patient received, this will make it possible to calculate the next dosage with minimal damage to the person. After the examination, it is desirable to eat more carrots, apples, radishes, beans and citrus fruits. These products will help remove radionuclides from the body.
How often can it be done
The type of radiography and its frequency depends on the condition of the oral cavity and the complexity of the treatment. CBCT is best done no more than 3 times a year. Bite film photos are prescribed no more than 7 times a year, the new technique uses lower doses of radiation, so there may be more digital diagnostics. 7 is considered acceptable. diagnostic tests in year. When changing dentist It is not necessary to take new pictures, it is enough to take with you to the appointment those that you already have. If the digital data has been lost, they can be requested from the clinic that performed the examination. CBCT results are stored for up to a year in the archives of medical centers.
Is it possible to replace an X-ray of a tooth with something?
It is possible to avoid radiation exposure during the examination. Magnetic resonance imaging is considered an alternative to radiography, it does not use radiation rays at all. The technology is based on magnetic resonance, therefore it is absolutely safe. However, she is not always can give such extensive information as an x-ray, as it poorly visualizes bone tissue.