Beverly Hills, California, dentist explains the benefits of dental imaging for diagnostics and planning
Dental imaging, or dental radiography, can help a dentist dramatically. These images are essential to preventive diagnostics, and planning of dental issues. Dentists and dental hygienists use the information found in radiographs to detect dental abnormalities that cannot be seen with the eye and hide underneath the gums. This imaging is also used to develop a treatment plan for a patient or determine the best place to put a dental implant for restoring the smile. It can also be used for those considering bone grafting.
What is dental imaging used for?
In addition to a physical evaluation of the oral cavity during routine appointments, dental imaging can take diagnostics one step further. They are used to reveal:
- Bone loss
- Cysts/abscesses
- Tooth decay
- Tumors
- Developmental abnormalities
- Problems inside of a tooth
- Problems underneath the gum line.
With dental imaging, many conditions are spotted at an early stage, which can dramatically improve a patient’s outcome. Early detection of many conditions can save patients time, money, and even teeth.
Is dental imaging safe?
Many patients are worried about the radiation that comes from dental imaging and ask our team whether it’s safe. Patients need to understand that natural radiation occurs every day in our environment, and radiation exposure during dental imaging is comparable to a patient’s daily exposure during their everyday lives. Dental imaging produces such a low level of radiation that they are considered safe. Even so, our dental team takes proper precautions to reduce exposure by using lead apron shields and faster film imaging.
How often do I need to undergo dental imaging?
Your dentist and dental hygienist will make a recommendation during your appointment. New patients may have dental imaging done during their first appointment, but not at consecutive visits unless there is a specific problem. Patients coming into the office for toothaches or other complaints may have dental imaging done to look for the root of the problem, which may be beneath the gums or inside of a tooth.
Schedule an appointment today to have a full evaluation performed with dental imaging
Contact Beverly Hills Advanced Specialties of Dentistry in Beverly Hills, CA, today at (310) 878-6455. Our dentists, including Drs. Frank Vidjak and Fanny Yacaman are committed to helping in early diagnosis of dental problems with dental imaging solutions.