Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Steve Auger When you hear the word "X-ray," there's a tendency to envision a youngster sitting around an ER waiting to see if he or she has a broken bone incurred playing sports or just horsing around. But X-rays are just as important to dentists' offices as they are to those of orthopedists. A teeth X-ray is invaluable to any dentist in the maintenance of good oral health when treating a patient. Here's exactly what they are and how dentists incorporate them into their practices. X-RAYS Your dentist visually examines all aspects of your teeth and gums during a typical checkup. A teeth X-ray, however, is a diagnostic tool that allows your dentist to gauge your mouth health through factors he can't see with the naked eye, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Also called radiographs, X-rays can reveal common issues such as cavities, tooth decay and periodontal disease, all the way to more complex problems such as jaw infections and oral cysts. X-rays aren't just for adults though. Dentists take x-rays of children's teeth for some of the same reasons as adults but also some different reasons. To read the entire article visit Colgate.com. The remainder of the article details the following:
Digital
X-rays – Much Less Radiation
Today’s digital technology has provided a means to X-ray your entire
mouth in one picture and immediately provide an image of the upper
and lower jaws. It is easily downloaded for accurate and immediate
viewing on our computer screen. Not only does this technology make
it quick and easy to produce the necessary image of your teeth, but
does so with 75% less radiation than the previous types of X-rays.
Additionally, it is a time-saving technology that is easy on the
environment without the use of chemicals to develop images.