The Importance of Getting a Dental X-Ray
Everyone knows that getting regular dental exams is important for the health of your teeth and gums, but what about getting a dental X-ray? Time was, many people would not go through that procedure unless it was absolutely necessary, because of a fear of being exposed to too much radiation from the radiography device. Thanks to advances in dental technology, however, the advent of the digital X-ray has made it easier for patients to now get a regular X-ray, at any age, so that your dentist can detect problems before it becomes too serious. When Should It Be Done? As your teeth develop, they shift, develop plaque and go through all kinds of problems. If you schedule regular cleanings and examinations, leave the option open for your dentist to take a digital dental X-ray in order to keep a current record of your teeth as they age. This can be especially important if you are undergoing such treatments as teeth alignments, cavity fillings and other normal dental events. Digital X-rays can be a very important tool in preventing serious harm to your teeth, and can help your dentist to ensure that every step is being taken to care for your teeth properly. Digital X-rays can reveal any areas of decay that are hidden within your teeth, which would normally be invisible to a visual inspection. Being able to spot a tooth that is decaying from the inside out can help in repairing or removing it
before it causes a major problem such as gum disease or other periodontal diseases. In the case of braces and other devices to realign the teeth, digital X-rays can assure that the teeth can benefit from the procedure before you even start, and any teeth that would interfere can be removed. Young children especially can benefit, as it would be a digital record of their tooth development, and be used to prevent unnecessary pain by showing where the adult teeth will be coming in, and when, so that there is no chance of the adult teeth becoming impacted by growing too quickly under a baby tooth before it loosens. Will My Insurance Cover It? Thankfully, the answer to that question is yes. Because digital X-rays can be considered as preventive and diagnostic care for patients who have a family history of dental problems, most insurance policies will cover the added cost of having regular digital X-rays done at a rate of 100%, meaning no out-of-pocket expense for the patient, other than their normal deductible. In these days, when insurance companies are dropping patient benefits left and right to save on costs, the fact that they will still cover digital X-rays can be a boon. Especially for families with young children, think of the money you could save on emergency dental visits alone, if your dentist was able to spot potential trouble spots in your child's mouth before they happen. Benefits of Digital X-Rays The biggest difference between the older versions of a dental X-ray as compared to digital radiography is a definite reduction in exposure to any radioactive material for the patient. Digital radiology can produce a high quality image with 75% less exposure than the old radiology film required, without the use of any chemicals to set the image, making it very environmentally friendly. And, because dental software can enhance any image captured into a very high resolution, fewer images need to be taken during any one session.