Dental Radiographs (X-Rays)
Dental radiographs, commonly known as dental x-rays, are extremely useful for the diagnosis of different ailments that could endanger the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums. Of course, these services are not just exclusive to adults. It is an extremely common need to view the healthy development of teeth and gums for children, particularly those that have not yet crowned above the surface. Children are at a much higher risk than adults of developing tooth decay, especially around the time they are losing their baby teeth and trading them in for their adult biters and molars.
The pediatric dental team at Irving Kids Dentist has the proper training and procedures to comply with the most stringent AAPD standards to offer the best possible care for your child or teenager.
What are Dental X-rays?
Radiographs, or x-rays, have been an important development in the field of medicine for many years. X-rays are a great and versatile tool that helps to diagnose and identify exactly the root cause of an issue. X-rays, in general, are great for:
- Identifying whether there is enough space, primarily when there are incoming teeth for the child
- Estimating whether baby teeth are being shed in an appropriate amount of time to make room for the stronger, adult teeth
- Monitoring tooth decay
- Diagnosing cavities and tooth decay to stop the problem from developing further
- Periodically used to examine more dangerous issues, such as tumors, injuries and to plan further treatment
Why does my Child Need Dental X-rays?
Your child will need periodic X-rays to maintain and monitor their oral health. The AAPD has approved the use of radiographs in children and it is mainly used for the first time when a child is nearly 6 years of age. This is the time that they will start losing their first baby teeth, and it is an important tool to examine whether their teeth are growing without risk of injury, decay, or stunting.
The frequency of the x-ray will depend on the risk of tooth decay, usually. Our professional pediatric dental team will work with you to provide you with the proper cadence of when further diagnostic tools are necessary for your child.
How is my Child Kept Safe?
It is a common misconception that x-rays are more dangerous for children than they are for adults. However, with this in mind, we understand that your child’s safety is the top priority, so precautions are taken to minimize exposure to radiograph radiation.
For example, lead aprons are used to protect the body, much like an operation for an adult patient. The lead apron will cover most of their body, and this will further protect them. Other standards, such as using high-speed film and shields to cover any exposed parts of the face, as well as proper instructions will generally reduce and almost nullify the exposure to unwanted areas.
