In the treatment of dental diseases, it is important to accurately diagnose. This is done using x-rays. Diagnosis allows you to get accurate information about pathologies. An x-ray of the teeth helps to compile the entire clinical picture and to find out the anatomical features of the structure of the jaw. This is necessary to complete the treatment. Details about this procedure are presented in the article.
When is it done?
An external examination conducted by a dentist at an appointment does not always help to accurately determine the cause of a pathology. To determine the diagnosis and treatment method, an X-ray machine is used. The procedure must be carried out:
- with an abnormal position of the dental composition;
- a hidden cavity that appeared due to caries;
- periodontal disease;
- pathologies that occur under fillings or crowns;
- trauma to the internal tissues of the tooth or jaw;
- neoplasms or abscesses;
- installation of implants.
Diagnostic results can facilitate the work of the doctor, allowing you to accurately determine how the therapy should be performed. X-rays of the teeth can be performed in the presence of other diseases to determine their course.
Features
Many procedures that require penetration into the tooth or gums cannot be performed without diagnosis. A picture is taken to determine the condition of bone tissue, roots, in the presence of caries. An x-ray of the teeth allows you to determine the condition of the soft tissues inside the gums, to establish probable inflammation and cracked canals.
The event will help to accurately determine the area where procedures are required to eliminate the pathology. The doctor does not need to perform unnecessary actions that cause pain or can lead to complications. Therefore, in order for the treatment to be effective, an x-ray of the teeth is necessary.
During pregnancy
Doctors should not prescribe diagnostic measures for women in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. After this period, an x-ray (snapshot) of the teeth can be performed only if necessary, when it cannot be treated without it. To reduce radiation exposure, specialists use a special film (E-class). An X-ray of the tooth during pregnancy is preferably performed digitally. It is not harmful to women and children.
Is it possible to do a tooth x-ray while breastfeeding? This procedure is allowed. Since the radiation dose is small, and breast milk does not accumulate radiation, and therefore the baby’s body is not at risk.
Little patients
Pictures of milk teeth are extremely rare, only with complex pathologies. The procedure allows you to eliminate violations that affect the formation of the dental composition. An x-ray of a child’s teeth should be performed with a minimum dose of radiation.
Prior to this procedure, children are protected with a special apron made with lead particles. Reduce the negative impact of the device when performing digital research.
Frequency of procedures
How often can these events be carried out? This is established by SanPiN 2.6.1.1192-03. The regulation sets the maximum radiation dose for prevention and treatment. How often can an x-ray be taken is determined by the apparatus.
The safest method is a digital study of the state of dental tissue. It is rarely necessary to carry out a procedure on a film apparatus. Each procedure has a negative effect on the body, so it should be performed only if necessary. The dose of radiation should not be higher than 1000 microsievert per year. This applies to preventive examinations. With treatment, the norm is greater.
Recommendations
X-rays are harmful to the body. It will reduce the risk when choosing a good clinic where modern equipment works. No need to abandon the x-ray of deciduous teeth in children or during pregnancy. If such a diagnosis is prescribed by the dentist, then it is required.
If you refuse to take an X-ray of the tooth, the treatment becomes more complicated, and there is a risk of serious complications. The correct implementation of the procedure and the use of new technologies will help reduce the dose of radiation exposure and obtain accurate information about the state of the oral cavity.
Types of research
Recently, radiography has been used frequently. The reason for this is the creation of devices that allow you to take pictures quickly and accurately. Therefore, treatment is faster and patients will have less discomfort.
Diagnostics is performed using old and new technology. Depending on the device used, there are 4 types of radiography:
- Bite. Detects caries and tartar.
- Sighting. Determines the internal condition of the teeth and gums.
- Panoramic. An x-ray of this type of teeth provides information on the general condition of the jaw.
- Digital. With it, you can make a clear image of an individual tooth or dental composition.
A new type of diagnosis is 3D X-ray. Using this research method, a panoramic or three-dimensional image is created that is displayed on a computer monitor. After treatment, the doctor receives an accurate picture. So that there is no need to perform a second diagnosis, the examination must be performed according to the established rules. Moreover, they must be observed not only by a medical professional, but also by the patient.
Training
To properly make an x-ray of teeth, it is necessary to observe elementary rules. Before the event, you need to remove the jewelry that is on the face, head or neck. Metal parts can cause image distortion or “shadow” display. As a result, this will complicate the work of the dentist, and the person will need to undergo a second diagnosis.
Survey
Where to make an x-ray of teeth? This procedure can be performed in any hospital where dental diseases are treated. Radiography is performed according to the established scheme, but depending on the device used, the process may have differences. Typically, the procedure is as follows:
- The human body is covered with a special apron.
- The patient needs to go inside the device.
- It is necessary to bite a plastic stick.
- Lips must be closed.
- Breast should be pressed to the platform.
A man needs to stand straight. Sometimes you need to turn your head to get an image of a particular area. Then take a picture. Now you know how dental x-rays are performed (see photo below).
Snapshot analysis
After taking the picture, the dentist decrypts the x-ray. Image analysis is based on knowledge of which tissues are capable of transmitting x-rays. White spots are fillings and crowns, foci of inflammation are dark. And the natural tissues of the teeth and gums are gray. To compare, you need an x-ray of a healthy tooth, which has a natural cavity, with a nerve.
With the decryption by the doctor, the following information will be obtained:
- localization of caries;
- the shape and location of the roots;
- condition of dentin, enamel and periodontium.
With the help of x-rays, many problems can be solved. Based on it, the location and depth of carious lesions of the teeth are determined. Also, the procedure allows to identify fractures in the jaw. An x-ray sets teeth that have erupted but have not yet arisen on the surface.
Thanks to the procedure, it will be possible to determine the wrong bite and other deviations with teeth, gums, roots. Pictures show an accumulation of pus and inflammation. According to them, doctors determine irregularities and unnatural abnormalities in the mouth. An x-ray is needed during nerve removal. With him, the doctor checks how well the canal has been cleaned.
Modern methods
Today, not the classic X-ray method is popular, but cone beam computed tomography and visiography. These methods are in demand due to safety and ease of use. But still, classic quality pictures are higher than the results of the CCPT and visiography.
Harm
Radiation is considered harmful to the body. But the development of ailments is observed only with a huge dose of radiation. X-ray of the tooth has an effect in small doses, which cannot lead to pathological processes.
If in doubt, consult your doctor. But you need to consider how important the diagnosis is and what problems can arise when you refuse it.
Ionizing radiation after passing through the human body leads to some reactions:
- protein structure changes;
- tissue molecules are ionized;
- cell aging accelerates, the normal course of new maturation is disrupted;
- the composition of the blood changes temporarily.
These processes can lead to various diseases, therefore, during the procedure it is important to comply with safety regulations. To protect the organs put on special aprons. And specialists should control the dose and time of exposure. The shorter the study, the less harm there will be. In dentistry, x-rays are performed on a device that synthesizes low-energy rays, and the procedure lasts several seconds, so the event is recognized as harmless.
Contraindications
Many people are calm about visiting a dentist, because examination and treatment do not cause great inconvenience. But there are quite a lot of prejudices about x-rays. Some have concerns about its radioactivity. Radiologists claim that getting radiation sickness is unrealistic.
The doctor evaluates all cases individually. If possible, pregnant women should treat their teeth after childbirth. But by the 2nd trimester, the x-ray will be safe. Using a special apron will protect against harmful effects. Contraindication to the procedure is considered to be bleeding in the oral cavity, a severe or unconscious patient.
Difficulties
It is often difficult to take a picture due to the fact that the body has lost contrast. The reasons for this may be as follows:
- A granuloma, abscess, or cyst appeared in a specific area of the jaw.
- There was a radicular cyst.
- Canal filling was performed incorrectly or filling material was used that illuminates the image.
- The occurrence of cementoma is observed.
Cementoma usually appears in women. It arises as a consequence of apical lesions. At the beginning of the disease, it will still be possible to recognize the ailment, but after 6 months the picture is blurred, loses contrast, and it will not be possible to establish the disease accurately.
An abscess leads to a deterioration in image quality. It usually appears in children. The reason for this is that the child takes foreign matter into his mouth, which can damage the gums. Gradually, pus accumulates in this area. If an abscess appeared in our deciduous teeth, then with an X-ray, nothing will be revealed. There will be a dark spot. But you can visually identify the external abscess. Then an x-ray is not needed. But first you need to eliminate the pus, give time to restore the gingival tissue and then take a picture.
Cost
The price of the procedure is determined by several factors. The device used for x-ray is important. The cost is determined by the type of image, the area of study and the medical institution. The average price is 250-1500 rubles.
X-rays are considered an important measure in the diagnosis of dental ailments. Without research, quality therapy cannot always be performed. And with him, the doctor will make the necessary diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.