X-rays are an invaluable tool your dentist in Winston-Salem uses to evaluate your internal dental health and identify problems as early as possible. Today's dental x-rays are quick, simple, and effective, and they emit 90 percent less radiation than film x-rays, making them safer for our patients.
Digital x-rays also don't require any chemicals for developing, so they're also safer for our environment.
What Can Digital X-Rays Diagnose?
Digital x-rays can often alert us to common dental problems in their early stages, which allows for a better prognosis and easier treatment options. Some conditions that digital x-rays pinpoint are:
- Tooth decay
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Oral cancer
- Tooth infection
- Tooth impaction
Dental x-rays can also help plan certain types of treatment, such as:
- Oral surgeries
- Orthodontic treatment
- Tooth extraction, such as wisdom teeth
- Dental implant placement
- Root canal treatment
When we can plan your treatment ahead of time, the procedure will go much more smoothly and efficiently on the day of, and your smile and dental health will benefit.
What Different Types of Dental X-Rays Do We Use?
There are a few common types of dental x-rays you may see at our Winston-Salem dental office. Each has a different purpose, and Dr. Tibbs uses them at different times.
- Bite-wings: These are typically used to establish a baseline for dental health, and we recommend taking a new set once per year.
- Periapical: This is a close-up taken of one specific tooth, usually to pinpoint a problem or concern.
- Panographic: This film offers a complete view of your teeth in one image. Dr. Tibbs may recommend this x-ray be updated every five years.
- Cephalometric: This x-ray offers a side view of your teeth and jaw joint that helps plan orthodontic treatment.
- 3-D: You might see your dentist use 3-D imaging to plan oral surgeries or procedures like implant placement.
Digital x-rays in Winston-Salem play an integral role in helping us to assist you in maintaining your dental health and beautiful smile.
Digital X-Rays and Preventive Dentistry
X-rays also play an integral role in dental prevention. We can help you protect your smile, dental health, and budget with consistent preventive teeth cleanings and exams. Your budget gets a break because we can detect concerns early on when they're more straightforward and less costly to treat.
Digital x-rays give us a closer look internally so Dr. Tibbs can diagnose problems that could be missed with just the naked eye during an exam.
For example, when we see tooth decay early in an x-ray, we can determine if it needs immediate treatment or monitoring. If tooth decay is treated immediately, it can usually be handled with a simple dental filling. If tooth decay isn't treated or detected, it gradually moves further into your tooth until it reaches the nerve. Once it hits the nerve, you have a painful infection to deal with, requiring more complex and costlier treatment like a root canal.
Preventive Dentistry and the Oral Systemic Connection
Gum disease is an infection of the gums and bone supporting teeth. Science has shown a clear link between periodontal (gum) health and overall health. We now understand that the bacteria that causes gum disease can travel through your bloodstream and contribute to other critical health concerns like heart disease and diabetes. This means that gum disease makes you more likely to suffer from another systemic health concern and vice versa.
Some of the chronic health problems that gum disease has been linked with are:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Dementia
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
Gum disease has also been found to cause complications during pregnancy, including low birth weight in babies.
Routine preventive exams and teeth cleanings are the best defense against gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities.
Is It Time for Your Next Dental Visit?
If it's time for your next teeth cleaning and checkup, or even if it's been a while since your last trip to the dentist, we encourage you to call us at (336) 765-7477 to book your appointment. Dr. Tibbs and our team provide a welcoming, judgment-free environment, and we accept new patients. You'll also find our Winston-Salem dental office well-equipped with leading-edge technology like digital x-rays to provide you with the most stress-free and positive experience possible.