If you go to a Springfield, VA dentist, he or she may suggest you take a dental x-ray for various reasons. For example, cavities can be detected with the use of x-rays. Dental x-rays are useful for several reasons, including a nightguard exam, a full mouth examination, or advanced dental treatments like crowns and bridges.
Digital x-rays are images recorded by an electrical sensor in order to form an image on film or on a computer screen. These images allow dentists to see cavities and even tooth decay under the gum that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Here are different dental conditions that can be revealed in a dental x-ray.
- Abscesses or cysts
Abscesses or cysts can be easily seen in a dental x-ray. In fact, abscesses are often the result of bacterial infection and may need a complete oral dental cleaning. Dental x-rays can reveal the presence of any kind of abscesses, such as pericoronitis, pyogenic granuloma, or dental granuloma. Other dental conditions like mouth ulcers can also be detected using dental x-rays.
- Bone loss
Dentists can detect some types of bone loss if the patient has had them before. They might be able to see that there is a need for a root canal or a crown. Digital x-rays can reveal an open wound and help the dentist to notice the presence of a pulpal defect.
- Decay between the teeth
Dental decay is one of the most common dental diseases. The presence of decay can be detected with the help of digital x-rays. Decay can also be detected with a dental explorer or by looking at the patient’s initial bite registration.
- Developmental abnormalities
Developmental abnormalities can be detected with a dental x-ray. This is often the case when the patient has some kind of birth defect. Dental x-rays can also reveal any kind of infection in a socket or when a bone is present on the teeth.
- Poor tooth and root positions
Poor tooth and root position can be detected with the help of digital x-rays. The dentist will be able to spot any kind of misalignment or irregular spacing between the teeth. Most often, irregular spacing comes from dental trauma.
- Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line
Digital x-rays are also used to detect problems inside a tooth or below the gum line. Using a dental x-ray, the dentist can see calculus, decay, root canal treatment done correctly, cysts, and more.
