Digital dental x rays are an extremely useful tool for dentists nowadays. These provide very high resolution images of teeth that make diagnosis of problems much more effective as well as involve subjecting the patient to a significantly lesser amount of radiation. Also, these digital images can be reproduced and stored easily without distortion for future reference and thus make the dentist’s job, and consequently the patient’s treatment, much more efficient. The actual procedure of the test in which the teeth are examined through this means simply involves passing x rays through the mouth in the usual way, but the rays hit an electronic pad or sensor instead of a film, which are then transformed into a digital image on a computer screen.
Depending on your individual case history and food habits, you may require or be recommended a dental x ray every six months to once every couple of years. It is suggested that children’s teeth should be examined through this means twice a year as it helps the dentist monitor the rate at which permanent new teeth replace old, milk teeth, calculate if there is enough space for all the teeth to grow in a regular alignment and determine if any external intervention is required to achieve proper growth of teeth. Those who consume large amounts of carbonated and sweetened drinks, caffeinated beverages, and cold and sugary desserts should also regularly get their teeth examined through this method, as they belong to the high-risk category for dental problems.
There are several benefits of digital dental x rays. They enable the dentist to detect tooth decays between the teeth that may not be visible through even a close visual examination. Tiny abscesses within a tooth may also be revealed accurately through this means even before they manifest themselves through external symptoms. It is also helpful in revealing any decays or cracks that might have set in beneath already existing tooth fillings. In case of periodontal gum diseases, this technology enables the dentist to detect bone loss at a very early stage of the erosion. It is also used to diagnose root canal infections or a dead nerve that lies at the root of a tooth. Other anomalies like cysts and cancerous growths within the teeth may also be revealed through digital x rays. All of these benefits help an orthodontist suggest appropriate treatments, implants or dentures to solve tooth ailments.