X-RAYS:
X-rays are a very important tool that help dentists to confirm a diagnosis. They are considered very safe even for pregnant women they have almost no side effects provided the dentists conforms to universal radiation control regulation.
- Reasons for taking x-rays :
• Routine Screening
• Confirm the presence or absence of decay in between teeth
• Determine the amount of bone lose in advanced gum disease
• Determine the presence of an abscess or cyst around roots or in the jaw bone
• Assess the quality of previous dental treatment
• Assess for fractures
• Assess the ease or difficulty of treatment prior to extraction, root canal treatment...etc
- Types of x-rays :
• Panoramic x-ray which shows the whole upper & lower jaws and the tempromendicuar joints.
• Periapical & bite wing x-rays are small films that show the affected tooth & 1-2 adjacent teeth only.