Pediatric dental x-rays are helpful tools that allow dentists to provide targeted dental care to their young patients. Dental x-rays allow dentists to diagnose dental and orthodontic problems. Periodic x-rays allow pediatric dental specialists to monitor the growth and development of their young patients’ mouths.
While the benefits of kids’ x-rays are pretty obvious, many parents will have their misgivings. The low levels of radiation that come with x-ray imaging are a common concern. Keep reading to learn more about children’s dental x-rays.
X-rays pass easily through the body's soft tissues, but they find an obstacle in dense, hard tissue like cartilage, bone, and teeth. This interaction with different types of tissue is the principle behind x-ray imaging. A radiologist or dentist will take an x-ray by doing the following:
Here are some common questions parents ask pediatric dental specialists about kids’ x-rays:
X-rays are a diagnostic tool that allows dentists to find out what is going on beneath the gums. Without x-rays, a pediatric dentist could miss dental problems like cysts, impacted teeth, and orthodontic issues.
Periodic x-rays are a monitoring tool that allows dentists to track the growth and development of the oral cavity.
Most dentists have the know-how and certification to perform pediatric dental x-rays. Many others work with radiologists who may be in-house staff or external consultants.
Yes, they are. The amount of radiation that comes out of an x-ray machine is comparable to the amount of radiation the body absorbs from the sun in a few minutes. Also, precautionary measures like a lead apron further minimize the radiation the patient is exposed to. It is also good to know that digital x-rays put out less radiation than their analog cousins.
It depends. A child with no apparent dental problems will only need an annual set of x-rays. However, a young patient with ongoing dental issues may need x-rays once every couple of months.
When was your child's last dental check-up visit? If it is time for their next visit, we encourage you to contact our dental office today to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dental specialist. Your child will receive a thorough examination of their teeth, gums, and mouth, as well as pediatric dental x-rays if necessary.
Request an appointment here: https://nettsmiles.com or call Nett Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics at (623) 759-7658 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentist in Phoenix, AZ.
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