Dental radiography has become an indispensable tool in modern dental practice. X-ray images enable dentists to see what is impossible to detect with the naked eye, providing a detailed view of the internal structure of teeth, bones, and surrounding tissues.
Radiographs are essential for the accurate diagnosis of dental diseases and conditions and for planning effective treatment. From the early detection of cavities to the assessment of periodontal problems and the planning of orthodontic treatment, radiographs are essential to providing quality patient care.
In this article, we’ll look at the different types of radiographs available, how they contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of various dental conditions and finally what hidden problems can be detected via x-ray.
X-ray dimensions
The dimensions of intraoral and extraoral radiographs are virtually the same for traditional film, digital sensors and phosphor plates, with device numbering varying slightly according to technology. Traditional films and phosphor plates have similar numbering, while digital sensors often have different numbering, but in general, the sizes correspond to the same diagnostic categories, such as anterior teeth, posterior teeth and large arches.
Traditional films and phosphorescent plates
- Size 0: designed for small children. Mainly used for periapical or interproximal radiographs.
- Size 1: suitable for older children and some adults with small mouths. Used for periapical radiographs.
- Size 2: standard size used in adults for interproximal and periapical radiographs.
- Size 3: longer than size 2, it is sometimes used to capture several crowns in a single image.
- Size 4: the largest size used for occlusal radiographs.
Digital sensors
- Type 0 sensor: this is the smallest size and is mainly used for pediatric patients because of their smaller mouths. It is also useful in very confined areas where larger sensors cannot fit comfortably.
- Type 1 sensor: this size is used to capture images of anterior teeth in adults. It’s an intermediate option that offers a good balance between comfort and coverage of the area to be radiographed.
- Type 2 sensor: this is the size most used for older children and adults. It is the standard size and covers most intra-oral diagnostic needs, including periapical and bitewings.
- Type 3 sensor: this size is not as commonly used but is ideal for extended impressions. It provides more information on larger areas in a single image, which can be handy for certain periodontal diagnostics and interproximal caries detection.
Visual examination is not enough.
Even the most thorough examination, whether performed with the naked eye or with a magnifying glass, cannot provide a complete and reliable diagnosis of the condition of your mouth, which is why an in-depth examination is essential: a dental x-ray.
It alone allows your dentist to see not only the inside of your teeth but also:
- the spaces between them
- the condition of their roots
- the bones under the gums
In short, all those places that the eye is unable to see.
Undetectable cavities
Some cavities are very difficult to detect because of their location in the tooth. We all know the impact of untreated decayed teeth due to the pain they cause or the consequences on our general health, and we are grateful to our dentist for spotting them early.
Cysts lurking behind gums and teeth
Even more serious problems can ruin our smile: abscesses, cysts, or even tumors, or bone loss due to gum disease. These things are often missed during oral checks in your teeth. To confirm the presence of any abscesses or cysts, then a deeper dive via X-rays is necessary.
Your oral health is at the heart of the concerns of dental experts. According to this dentist in Newton, MA today, most dental clinics use state-of-the-art equipment that have evolved considerably since their beginnings.
Radiology has also moved into the digital age, and exposure has become more than negligible.
Your experts have several technologies at their disposal, and the choice of one or the other will depend on the expected result and the research carried out:
- Periapical radiography diagnoses the condition of tooth roots and bone health.
- Interproximal radiography can detect cavities located between the teeth.
- Panoramic X-ray gives an overview of the teeth and bones.
- The 3D scan provides a three-dimensional image of the entire mouth.
Because your dentist’s goal is to make a clear, safe, and precise diagnosis of the actual and future state of your mouth, teeth, gums, and jaw bones, they use the latest cutting-edge technologies in dental radiology. Through these examinations, carried out without any pain, it must be emphasized that your specialist will be able to provide you with the most appropriate solutions for your case, chosen according to the objective to be achieved.
Digital radiology helps reduce radiation emitted.
Digital technology makes it possible to produce quality images with considerably (10 times) fewer X-rays than in our parents’ time.
Digital radiography also has many other advantages:
- Images can be reworked by computer to improve contrast and clarity. Retouching highlights pathologies of bone structures, or teeth, or roots from the same image.
- Waiting time is reduced, and the shot can be validated quickly, as with our modern cameras.
- For example, sharing X-rays – to other professionals, specialists, or insurers – is easy: it can be done electronically.
Equipment and additional materials for X-rays
The appropriate equipment and complementary materials are essential to obtain quality X-rays, in addition to films or sensors.
The key elements that ensure the effectiveness, safety, and accuracy of radiographic imaging are described below.
- Dental X-ray machine: The main equipment that emits the X-rays needed to create the images.
- Lead apron: The patient wears this to protect non-irradiated areas, such as the abdominal region, from the impact of X-rays. It is made of lead or equivalent materials that effectively block radiation.
- Thyroid shields: These are protective devices placed around the patient’s neck to protect the thyroid, a gland that is particularly sensitive to radiation.
- X-ray positioners: These devices place and hold the film or sensor in the correct position inside the patient’s mouth. They contribute to the accuracy and reproducibility of images, reducing the need to repeat X-rays due to positioning errors.
- Image processor: For digital X-rays, an image processor is required to display and analyze the images on a computer.
- Developer (in analog systems): liquid developer for processing analog radiographs.
In conclusion, professional and certified dentists are committed to making our patients’ experience as safe and comfortable as possible. In addition, all equipment is regularly inspected by a radiation protection firm.
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