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It is quite impossible for a dentist to detect or diagnose an underlying problem just through visual examination. Dental X-rays help provide detailed images of the mouth and teeth, which your dentist can use to assess the state of your dental health. X-rays are also required for dental implants, braces, and dentures. 

Our experienced team at Dental Specialists of North Florida located in Saint Augustine and Palm Coast, Florida, efficiently makes use of dental X-rays to analyze the dental health of our patients.

Issues Detected on X-Rays

Dental imaging is recommended to detect underlying conditions as they help in addressing and treating issues of the teeth and jaws. Some of the dental issues that X-rays help detect or diagnose are:

• Areas of decay not visually detected, especially small ones, such as in-between teeth, or under fillings that are already in place.
• Any loss of bone mass in the jaw due to loss of tooth or infection.
• Abscesses and cysts.
• Tumors of the jaw.
• Any impacted tooth

X-rays are also used to assess the condition of teeth for planning the restoration or for braces. In the case of children, imaging helps determine if there is adequate space in the mouth for all teeth to come out properly.

Frequency of Dental X-Rays

The age of the patient, state of their oral health, any ongoing symptoms, or a history of certain dental issues are the factors that decide the frequency of dental X-rays. New patients will need a panoramic X-ray for the assessment of their current dental health. Patients with dental issues are advised to take an X-ray every six months.

An X-ray once every couple of years is the usual frequency for people who properly maintain their dental health.

The Safety of Dental X-Rays 

Dental X-rays are safe for all, including pregnant women. If traditional methods are used, the patient wears a lead apron and a lead collar to avoid exposure to radiation of other parts of the upper body.

To learn more about dental X-rays, contact our team Dental Specialists of North Florida at (904) 794-1000 for Saint Augustine, Florida, or (386) 986-1000 for Palm Coast, Florida. You can also visit us at 10 Saint Johns Medical Park Drive, Suite C, Saint Augustine, FL 32086, or 3 Cypress Branch Way # 107, Palm Coast, FL 32164.