I Don't Get Cavities Very Often – Why Do I Still Need X-Rays?

Digital dental x-rays are an important part of our technology here at Columbia Dental Center. One of the most important roles x-rays play in dental health is detecting the start of decay in teeth.

But if you've got a great track record where tooth decay is concerned, do you really need to be exposing yourself to any more radiation?

What Else Shows Up On Dental X-Rays

X-rays are actually necessary for far more than just spotting cavities. Different types of x-rays taken from different angles also help detect:

• Abscesses
• Bone loss in the jaw
• Trauma to tooth roots
• Sinus problems
• Potential cancerous growths

If you have any problem like those, you'd be glad to have it detected early on a routine x-ray!

Tracking Dental Development

A dental x-ray is like opening a window into what's going on beneath the gums. Dr. Leppo can't see exactly how things are doing down there, so he uses x-rays to track the movement of teeth. A panoramic x-ray, for example, is a great way to find out how many wisdom teeth you have below your gums, if at all.

Are you worried about delayed tooth development in your child? Although your kid may be at low-risk for decay, x-rays can give you the peace of mind that their adult teeth are on their way.

X-Rays In Treatment

Dentistry would be a game of "pin the tail on the donkey" without x-rays. Dr. Leppo relies on this technology to carefully plan the placement of fillings, crowns, implants, and more.

To find out more about how essential routine x-rays are in the dental office, plan your visit with the Columbia Dental Team.

Posted on behalf of Columbia Dental Center