How are X-Rays used?

People have always needed dental care, but as the world and technology evolve, the dental care industry also develops. Every person is unique, so every person’s denture is unique. Because of bad nutrition and poor oral hygiene, people get cavities and gingivitis, which later evolves into periodontal disease. Fortunately, there are countless procedures that treat and prevent this disease.

In 1895, the German physicist Wilhelm Rontgen studied the X-rays, even though he was not the first to discover them. In the same year, Thomas Edison investigated materials’ ability to fluoresce when exposed to X-rays. As a result, he found that calcium tungstate is the most useful substance. One of the first use of X-rays was in 1901 when the U.S. President William McKinley was wounded and shot twice in an assassination attempt. Tomas Edison rushed with an X-ray machine to him. Although the X-ray machine found the bullet and the shooting was not lethal, gangrene had developed, and McKinley died.

The X-rays Today

Today X-rays are used to diagnose a large variety of problems, such as bone fractures, pulmonary problems, tooth decay, and many others. For dental problems, the X-rays are used to show tooth decay and identify any weak spots in the teeth. There are many situations that might require you to take an X-ray. Also, if you change your dentist, he might ask for a new set of X-rays so that he can better understand your denture and what problems you may have.

Teens and children need X-rays more often than others because their jaw and teeth are not entirely developed. Also, children and teens eat more sweets and sugary foods that increase the risk of tooth decay. X-rays are also crucial when you have to do a procedure like a root canal treatment or a tooth extraction.

How X-rays Work

The X-rays pass through the mouth, bones and teeth and absorb the rays more than the soft tissues such as the gums and flesh. The teeth and bones appear lighter and transparent on the radiography. The area where a tooth decay or an infection is present will look darker because of the lack of absorption of the X-rays. With the help of X-rays, the dentist is able to know what problems you have regarding your teeth and the bone structure of your teeth.

If you have a crown or a filling, you don’t have to worry. Although they look different on the radiography depending on the material they are made of, the dentist is trained to know the difference between a healthy tooth, a damaged tooth and an artificial tooth.

No matter what teeth problems you suffer from, you need to do an X-ray, before the procedure, on the tooth that needs treatment.