The technology of dental medicine is advancing by the minute. There are now sophisticated techniques for diagnosing and tracking oral cancer, correcting crooked teeth in less than a year, treating periodontitis (advanced gum disease) without surgery, and many more. Yet, when it comes down to diagnosing issues and creating an effective treatment plan, nothing beats a fresh set of X-rays. Dr. Diehl uses dental X-rays to see the whole picture in order to keep your teeth healthy, bright and beautiful. If you are a Fort Wayne resident with questions about how X-rays work, don’t hesitate to call Dupont Family Dentistry with any concerns.
What are X-rays?
X-rays have been around since 1895, when Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen first discovered that his cathode ray tube could penetrate black paper and cast shadows of solid objects. X-rays are on a shorter wavelength than visible light, and pass through soft tissue in the human body providing a detailed picture of what’s going on inside. Without X-Rays, the treatment of everything from cavities, broken bones, to cancer would be much more difficult. Beyond medicine and science, X-Rays are useful across many industries.
Why do I need X-Rays?
The first step with every new Fort Wayne dental patient is a thorough examination and a set of X-rays, or dental radiographs. Although looking in your mouth and checking for plaque, tartar and gum irregularities is a great start, X-Rays are the key to diagnosing problems and designing the best course of treatment. Here are some of the reasons Dr. Diehl performs dental X-rays:
To detect tooth decay, jawbone damage and injuries to tooth roots
To observe the position of teeth and locate any crowding or impacted teeth
To make sure children’s permanent teeth are growing properly
To check for cysts, tumors, or abscesses
To plan and coordinate treatment for severe cavities, root canals, dental implants, extractions and orthodontics
Are Dental X-Rays Safe?
Dr. Diehl understands why many Fort Wayne residents have concerns about radiation, but thankfully the use of Sirona Galileos 3D Scans replaces the use of the insignificant amount of radiation from X-Rays. It uses exceptional diagnostic capabilities (for airway openings, hard to find abcesses, TMJ, implant treatment planning, etc.) The team at Dupont Family Dentistry cares for our patients’ health with best practices in minimizing radiation exposure by using lead aprons, high-quality technology, quick exposures, and selective imaging techniques.
If you would like to see what dental X-rays can reveal about your smile, give us a call today!