Kingston Digital X-rays Glossary

A growing number of dentists are starting to utilize the digital X-ray equipment in their practices, eliminating the need for patients to bite down on sharp swatches of film and then wait for shots to be developed.

With the digital X-ray method, the dentist places a small sensor in the patient’s mouth. Connected to a computer by a thin wire, the sensor sends an X-ray beam through the patient’s teeth to the computer. The images instantly pop up on a computer screen in the exam room.

X-ray images (also called dental radiographs), are among the most valuable tools a dentist has for keeping your mouth and teeth healthy. By understanding what the structures of the mouth look like, dentists can diagnose problems in the teeth and jaws. In addition, patients can more easily understand treatment recommendations because they get to see the problem blown up on the screen in front of them.

There are two types of dental X-rays: intraoral and extraoral. Intraoral X-rays provide a lot of detail and allow the dentists to detect cavities, check the health of the tooth root and the bone, check the status of developing teeth, and monitor the general health of the teeth and jawbone. The main focus of extraoral X-rays is the jaw and skull. Extraoral X-rays are used to look for impacted teeth, monitor the development of the jaws in relation to the teeth, and to identify potential problems in the temporomandibular joint and other bones of the face.

Children, adults with extensive restoration work, including fillings, people with periodontal disease and smokers require frequent or regular radiographs so that their dental condition can be monitored. In patients with no recent dental or gum diseases and who visit the dentist on a regular basis, X-rays may be required only every five years or so.

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