Most family dentist recommend regular dental X-rays once a year or more often if the patient is going through certain treatments. Understanding the importance of regular X-rays from your family dentist is helpful. Many people avoid the diagnostic service simply because they do not understand the role that dental X-rays have in dentistry.
Family dentists recommend dental X-rays for all their patients, regardless of their oral health status or their age. There are many potential oral health issues that cannot be seen without them. The following review discusses what dental X-rays are and their importance.
Dental X-rays are part of a diagnostic procedure that shows images of the patient’s teeth, supporting roots, and jaw. The purpose of dental X-rays is to check the oral health of the patient. Dental X-rays can detect a range of concerns, including impacted teeth, bone loss in the jaw, and teeth fractures. There are different types of dental X-rays, each of which shows a different area of the mouth. This provides the family dentist with all the views necessary, so no oral health concern(s) go undetected.
The frequency at which dental X-rays from a family dentist are required varies based on the age of the patient and the status of their oral health. Patients who have good oral health may only need dental X-rays once every one or two years. However, patients who have more extensive oral healthcare needs may require dental X-rays as frequently as every four to six months.
Dental X-rays are non-invasive and only take a minute to complete. The dental assistant, hygienist, or dentist can guide the patient through the process. Some dental X-rays are taken standing up, whereas the others are taken while sitting comfortably in the dental chair.
Regular dental X-rays are almost always covered by dental insurance in full and come at no cost to the patient. For patients who do not have insurance, the cost is still quite low. Regular dental X-rays are essential for checking the patient's oral health, particularly the parts of the mouth that cannot be seen during an oral examination.
If the dentist detects any oral health concerns, then they can help the patient put together a treatment plan. Often, a dental cleaning is performed after dental X-rays, or the family dentist may recommend scaling and root planing if the patient has signs of gum disease.
Here at our family dental practice, we offer dental X-rays and other diagnostic services to detect oral health issues before they worsen. If you would like to schedule a consultation visit and learn more about the status of your oral health, contact our friendly and professional dental team today.
Request an appointment here: https://www.missionvalleydentalarts.com or call Mission Valley Dental Arts at (619) 805-4248 for an appointment in our San Diego office.
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