3 Teeth-Friendly Alternatives to Candy at Trick-or-Treat Time
Excessive sugar can wreak havoc on your teeth, especially when you eat a lot of it. Here are some Halloween treats that won’t contribute to tooth decay.
What a Dental X-Ray Can Tell Us About Your Teeth
Dental X-rays are the best way to diagnose cavities and other underlying issues that affect your oral health. At Lancaster Dental Associates, we offer advanced X-ray technologies in-office to identify your dental needs.
Experienced dentist Kamran Saidara, DDS, and our team use the results from your dental X-rays to customize a treatment plan. They provide a variety of general and cosmetic dentistry services to keep your smile looking great and to protect the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
An overview of dental X-rays
Dental X-rays use electromagnetic radiation to create images of your teeth and jawbone. Traditional X-rays capture the pictures on film. Images from digital dental X-rays, which use less radiation than traditional X-rays, are uploaded to a computer.
Undergoing dental X-rays is painless. Our dental team protects you from X-ray radiation by placing a lead apron over your chest. They position the technology in different ways to capture pictures of your mouth from all angles, including:
Bitewing X-rays
Bitewing X-rays include images of your upper and lower teeth in one area of your mouth.
Occlusal X-rays
Occlusal X-rays provide images of the roof and floor of your mouth.
Periapical X-rays
Periapical X-rays capture the entire structure of your tooth from the crown to the root tip.
What X-rays can tell your dental team about your oral health
Dental X-rays can provide vital information about your overall oral health during your checkup. X-ray results help our team determine if you need any dental treatments and identify what treatments are required.
Oral health issues that dental X-rays can detect include cavities and tooth decay that occurs beneath existing fillings. X-ray imaging can even identify small cavities that are starting to form between two teeth.
Our team also uses X-rays to identify:
- Cysts
- Gum disease
- Jaw cancer
- Jawbone loss
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Infection and abscesses
We may also request X-rays if you’re planning to get orthodontic treatments like braces or if you’re interested in dentures or dental implants. If you undergo a root canal, we may perform dental X-rays during your follow-up appointment to ensure your teeth and gums are healing well.
When to schedule dental X-rays
At Lancaster Dental Care Associates, Dr. Saidara and our dental team usually take X-rays of your mouth during your six-month checkup to assess the health of your teeth, gums, and jaw.
X-rays may also be necessary if you experience a dental emergency and have issues like:
- Mouth or jaw pain
- Broken teeth
- Swollen gums
- Difficulties chewing
We may also request more frequent X-rays if you’re being treated for gum disease or other chronic oral health conditions. X-ray imaging helps us ensure your treatment is working well and the condition isn’t worsening.
If you haven’t had a routine dental check-up or cleaning in more than a year, you may be at risk for cavities and other dental complications. Call Lancaster Dental Care Associates in Lancaster, California, today to schedule a dental X-ray appointment or book a consultation.
You Might Also Enjoy...
What Happens If I Need a Dental Implant but My Jawbone Is Too Thin to Hold It?
Without prompt replacement, a lost tooth can cause bone loss and subsequent tooth loss. Here’s what can happen when your jawbone is too fragile to support an implant.
3 Amazing Benefits of Laser Dentistry
Periodontal disease involves sensitive gums that bleed when you brush or floss as well as receding gums as you age. Laser dentistry can help.
That Chronic Headache Could Be TMJ: We Have Solutions
Migraine syndrome can take your day from good to bad to unbearable in under an hour. How can you fight back against frequent migraine episodes? Your dentist could have the answer.
Considering Invisalign? 3 Things You May Not Know
Invisalign® aligners are best known for being virtually “invisible” as the name suggests. But there’s a lot more to know about this revolutionary teeth-straightening system.
What Causes Dry Mouth and How to Get Rid of It?
A persistent dry mouth isn’t normal and can lead to significant oral health problems. If your mouth is chronically dry, seek a professional evaluation from your dentist. Early treatment can reduce symptoms before they worsen.