Up Your Oral Health Game with Dental X-Rays
Sometimes threats to your oral health hide unseen beneath the surface of your smile. Left undetected, small problems can lead to extensive, expensive complications that may negatively impact overall wellness down the road. That’s why the Virginia Bay dentists at The Foleck Center, utilize advanced dental X-rays as a safe, painless way to thoroughly assess what’s going on inside your mouth.
What Are Dental X-Rays?
Dental X-rays, also known as radiographs, are essential imaging tests that allow Dr. Foleck and his Virginia Bay area team to visualize hidden areas of the teeth, mouth, and jaw that can’t be seen during a clinical dental exam alone. These specialized images depict the internal structure of hard and soft tissues, helping identify issues like tooth decay, infections, cysts, tumors, bone loss, and more in their very early stages.
Several types of dental X-rays are tailored to reveal particular areas of the mouth in sharp detail. Dr. Foleck may recommend bitewing X-rays for cavity detection, periapicals to scrutinize individual teeth roots, panoramic X-rays to survey all upper and lower teeth in one swooping view, and other X-rays depending on your unique oral health needs.
Why Do I Need Dental X-Rays at The Foleck Center?
Dental X-rays fill crucial gaps in knowledge by spotlighting budding issues too subtle to display symptoms or be seen by the naked eye alone. The American Dental Association and Dr. Foleck recommend regular dental X-rays as an integral supplement to clinical exams for optimal preventive care and early detection of threats to your oral and overall health. Custom-tailored dental X-rays allow Virginia Bay’s own Dr. Adam Foleck to:
- Accurately diagnose oral diseases in the earliest and most treatable stages
- Develop and modify individualized treatment plans for optimum oral care
- Monitor changes in your oral health from year to year
- Pinpoint hidden dental problems before they become complex and painful
- Evaluate gum health and changes in the underlying bone
- Determine best placement options for implants, braces, dentures, and more ahead of time
What Does Getting Dental X-Rays at The Foleck Center Involve?
Dr. Foleck’s Virginia Bay dental office uses advanced digital radiography for clearer image quality, lower radiation exposure, and faster image access. The team provides lead aprons and shields to keep radiation from affecting the thyroid and other vulnerable areas during X-rays.
For most standard dental X-rays, you simply sit or stand still while a technician positions the small film panel inside your mouth, then step outside while the image is captured. Imaging plate scanners produce the dental X-ray picture within seconds!
For panoramic films, you stand while the external machine rotates around your head. The easy, painless process only takes five to ten minutes.
How Dental X-Rays Support Your Long-Term Oral Health
Dental X-rays are one of the most important tools a dentist can use to assess the condition of your upper and lower teeth, gums, and surrounding bone. Whether you’re a new patient or transitioning from a previous dentist, X-rays help establish a complete picture of your current oral health. At The Foleck Center, we use digital X-rays and other modern techniques to provide precise, safe imaging while minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure.
Regular imaging is key to maintaining excellent dental health. These scans can uncover tooth decay, periodontal disease, bone loss, and other issues before they cause significant discomfort or damage. They also assist in monitoring developing teeth and planning future dental treatment such as dental implants or restorations.
Are Dental X-Rays Safe?
Yes, dental X-rays are safe when conducted with the right safety protocols. At The Foleck Center, we use digital imaging which requires significantly less X-ray exposure compared to traditional film. Each patient is provided with a lead apron and a thyroid collar to further reduce any potential radiation exposure.
The American Dental Association recommends dental X-rays as part of routine care, especially because the amount of radiation used is comparable to what you’d receive from background radiation in your daily environment. For pregnant women, special precautions are taken, and in many cases, X-rays are postponed unless necessary.
Types of Dental X-Rays and What They Show
There are many types of dental X-rays, and each provides a unique view of your teeth and jaw. Common examples include:
Bitewing X-rays: Often used to detect dental caries (cavities) and check the fit of existing fillings.
Periapical X-rays: Reveal the entire tooth, from crown to root, and are especially useful for spotting issues in the supporting bone.
Panoramic X-rays: Show the entire mouth, including the entire head, jaw, and soft tissues, in a single image.
Occlusal X-rays: Focus on the lower jaw or upper jaw, revealing abnormalities in developing teeth or jaw alignment.
Cephalometric X-rays and extraoral X-rays: Used to evaluate the relationship between the teeth and jaw for diagnosing jaw problems or malocclusion.
Each dental X-ray plays a role in accurate diagnosis and allows us to plan treatment more effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need Dental X-rays?
Do Dental X-rays have side effects?
Can I get copies of my X-rays?
Are dental X-rays safe for adults and children?
Yes, dental X-rays are safe when performed with modern digital technology and proper shielding. At our Virginia dental office, we use low-radiation digital X-rays that minimize exposure and are safe for both adults and children.
Do dental X-rays show cavities and tooth decay?
Yes, dental X-rays can detect cavities between teeth, under existing fillings, and beneath the gumline. They’re essential for identifying decay in hard-to-see areas before symptoms appear.
Are digital dental X-rays better than traditional film X-rays?
Yes, digital X-rays provide faster results, clearer images, and up to 90% less radiation compared to traditional film. They’re also environmentally friendly and can be easily shared for second opinions or referrals.
Can I get dental X-rays during pregnancy?
Yes, dental X-rays are safe during pregnancy when proper shielding is used, but they are typically postponed unless urgently needed. Always inform your dentist if you are pregnant so we can adjust your care accordingly.
Do I need dental X-rays if I have no pain or symptoms?
Yes, many dental issues like cavities, infections, and bone loss begin without symptoms. X-rays allow your dentist to catch problems early and prevent more serious complications.
Where can I get high-quality dental X-rays in Virginia?
You can receive expert digital dental X-rays at The Foleck Center, the premier dental office serving Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, and surrounding areas. Our experienced team uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver fast, accurate, and comfortable imaging.
Optimize Prevention & Care with Dental X-rays
Every smile deserves the utmost care and attention, not just now but for years to come. That’s why at The Foleck Center, Dr. Adam Foleck leverages advanced dental X-rays and therapies to reveal threats early when they are most treatable. Don’t watch idly as hidden decay, infection, and disease threaten your oral and overall well-being.
Take action today and schedule your diagnostic dental X-rays with our passionate teams. With compassionate, tailored guidance through advanced preventive and restorative treatments, we’ll safeguard the stunning smile you were meant to have!
