We understand that some people hesitate when it comes to receiving x-rays. However, your dentist in Waco considers your safety an extremely high priority and would never perform any exams that weren’t a necessary part of your preventive care. X-rays are an essential part in any dental practice because it provides a more detailed and accurate picture of what’s happening in your mouth.
Keep in mind, it’s not only tooth decay and gum disease your dentist is looking for when they’re reviewing your x-rays. You’d be surprised by what x-rays, as well as other advanced technology they use, can find. Even for your dentist, the naked eye just won’t cut it.
Why X-Rays are Important in Dentistry
According to the ADA, many diseases in teeth cannot be found unless first discovered via an oral x-ray. Without confirmation of what’s happening deep underneath your gum tissue and inside your bone, your dentist can’t tell you the best treatment method with confidence.
X-rays aren’t just important for preventive care either. For example, if you have impacted teeth, they need to figure out the best path to take to remove the teeth and avoid hitting other vulnerable areas of your mouth in the process. Essentially, the more information your dentist has before starting treatment, the more successful and effective the treatment will be. That’s why dentists across the country use them.
What X-Rays Can Find That the Naked Eye Cannot
X-ray machines are very capable of catching early signs of tooth decay as well as gum disease. When talking about preventive care, a huge part entails stopping dental disease from becoming more advanced. Treatment for decay and gum disease in these stages is generally less comfortable, more time-consuming, and more expensive.
To summarize, x-rays allow your cosmetic dentist in Waco to find:
- Infections in bone
- Small areas of decay between teeth or below fillings
- Periodontal disease
- Abscesses and cysts
- Certain types of tumors
- Developmental abnormalities
How the Cone Beam CT Scanner Helps Your Dentist
Even though the risk that x-rays pose is small, your dentist in Waco offers an alternative that reduces your exposure to radiation. This is through the cone beam (CB) CT scanner, which takes a computerized tomography of your craniofacial area. The machine reduces the radiation dose more commonly found among conventional CT scanners and X-ray machines. It also provides more precise and targeted scanning before treatment.
If you planned on getting dental implants, your dentist can use the CBCT scanner to determine how much bone density there is before they consider you eligible for the procedure. After all, your dentist only wants to provide the highest success rate possible, and the CBCT scanner makes it happen.
With your dentist by your side, you have nothing to worry about when seeking treatment. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today to protect your oral health!
About the Author
Dr. Rick Cofer is always staying up-to-date on the latest techniques and technologies in dentistry. This allows him to create more targeted treatment plans and get his patients oral health on track for years to come. To learn more about techniques he uses to perform treatments or about the practice in general, contact him at (254) 732-0309 or visit his website.