dental xrays – Tooth Be Told

You go to your routine dental hygiene appointment, and the lovely hygienist informs you that you need x-rays today. Even though the time can feel like it's flying, you may think to yourself, didn't I just get these done? Or why do I really need them? And, are they needed for dental cleanings? Yes, X-rays (radiographs) are needed for dental hygiene appointments/teeth cleanings. X-rays are used to diagnose dental issues, and also to study bone levels and health, teeth health, cancer, polyps, cysts, tumours, abscesses, impacted teeth, infections, missing teeth and view developing teeth. When I clean teeth, I am constantly using multiple things to analyze my patient's teeth. I use the clinical appearance of how the oral tissues look to my eyes, I use diagnostic tools such as gum probing measurements, x-rays, and I ask my patients questions to treat them accordingly. Even though I use the patient's x-rays at every single appointment, that doesn't mean the patient should be having them taken every appointment. There could be a couple of reasons why x-rays may need to be taken more often, and I go over all of those reasons below, so keep reading! How I use dental x-rays for teeth cleanings When I am scaling (cleaning) teeth, I refer to the x-rays quite often. I can see so much more than just with the naked eye. I use what I see on the x-ray to visualize how the teeth are shaped and create an image in my mind of what the tooth looks like, underneath the gum line, it's like x-ray vision! To be honest, cleaning teeth without x-rays can be like wearing a blindfold. I cannot visualize or see what is going on in the places I cannot see with my naked eye. When x-rays are up to date and recent, you get a better dental hygiene appointment, and you get a lot more value out of it. Periodontal disease We need some bacteria because our body thrives with good bacteria. However, when oral hygiene is poor, bad bacteria can accumulate and trigger the body's response to breaking down the tissue surrounding our teeth. This is the BIGGEST reason that I need to use the x-rays for. Gum disease can be a little unpredictable, as sometimes it only affects a certain area/tooth or can be uneven around the mouth. I can see where the bone levels are, between the teeth, and generally what type of bone loss is occurring. Where the bone level should be is indicated by the yellow line. Where the bone actually is in this photo is indicated by the red line. The purple arrow indicates a furcation. A furcation is when enough bone is lost around a tooth with multiple roots, and bone is lost from in between the roots. This is important for me to note because I need to know it is there, and I will focus on it while cleaning the patient's teeth. I use both the x-rays and a periodontal probe together to assess the bone levels around each tooth as dental x-rays are only 2D, giving us only some of the full picture. And when a bone level could be quite low on a tooth, the respective gum tissue may be high, and to the naked eye, it looks like everything is healthy. But when looking at the x-rays and the gum measurements, a different story is painted. Also, the health of the bone is observed, and we can see if the top of the bone is in a more active state of destruction. Gum disease can be increased by other things, not just poor oral health. A lot of people use a CPAP machine with sleep apnea that can contribute to dental disease. You will be surprised how one medical condition can have such a profound impact on oral health! Click the link below! Read now: Dry Mouth With CPAP: Prevent and Eliminate Dental Problems Angle of teeth/root shape Everyone is unique, and even though our teeth follow a certain anatomical shape, there are differences between everyone. While I am cleaning underneath the gumline, I use the x-rays to see the angle and shape of the tooth. I visualize this in my mind, so I can contour the instrument appropriately around each tooth. This makes the cleaning much more comfortable for the patient. Because I know the root shape, the instrument has less chance of injuring the soft tissue. Calculus (tartar) formation The calculus (tartar) can be seen where the red arrow is pointing. Because of the angle of the tooth, it may be more difficult to keep clean. I would use this x-ray to determine both the angle of the tooth, where most of the build-up is under the gum, and take time to show the patient and discuss home care options to reduce the amount of calculus that will form between hygiene appointments, and help improve their oral health. The hard deposits on the teeth form from the bacteria and plaque when it gets calcified to the teeth. It will never stop forming, and for some people, it can form quite quickly. The calculus forms both underneath the gumline, and above the gum line, on all surfaces of the teeth. The roots of the teeth have indents and small areas that are hard to reach with the floss and toothbrush and will build up more calculus. If the amount of deposit gets large enough, it can actually be seen on the x-ray. This points out an area to me that needs to be focused on, by both myself as the dental hygienist, but also the patient, who may need to focus on that specific area while they are doing their home oral care routine. Dental hygiene appointments should be very thorough, and the length of them can vary. The link below will explain in detail the aspects of a dental hygiene appointment and how long it should be. Are your dental hygiene appointments long enough? Read now: Scaling and Polishing: How Long a Typical Dental Cleaning Is I also use the x-ray as a teaching tool for the patient to visualize what is going on in their mouth and have a better understanding. I find this can be motivating for the patients. Dental work examples: fillings, crowns, bridges, implants etc. The bright white crowns of the teeth are porcelain fused to metal bridge. It is so important for us hygienists to have a full picture in our minds about what is happening below the gum line, in between the teeth, and everywhere we cannot see. Dental work comes in all shapes and sizes, and knowing the contour or the edge of the dental work, provides me with valuable information. If I can see on the x-ray that some of the dental work is overhanging the tooth, and there is quite a large edge to it, I know not to go too aggressive with the cleaning in that area to not damage the dental work. I will also notify the dentist about this, and if it is negatively affecting the oral health of the patient, it may need to be fixed or redone. What the dentist looks for in dental x-rays Decay The decay (cavity) is indicated by the green arrow. You can see the dark area on the x-ray, which indicates more air space/lack of structure. An abscess is indicated by the 2 blue arrows. The round dark area indicated where the infection is present and has destroyed the bone. Even though dental hygienists are not allowed to diagnose decay, we know what it looks like on an x-ray and have enough knowledge to know what we are looking at. If I take an x-ray and I can see an area that is suspect for decay, I can use that information to my advantage. I can educate the patient on flossing and home care, to stop the cavity and remineralize it if it is small enough. This is of course after the dentist has diagnosed it. The dentist will diagnose the decay and explain to the patient what needs to be done. Disease Apart from gum disease, evidence of other diseases is looked for on dental x-rays. These include abscesses and current infections. In the picture under the decay subheading above, a dental abscess is indicated by the blue arrows. It is extremely important to diagnose abscesses quickly because they can become very serious, very quickly and could cross the blood-brain barrier and could cause septic shock. Nasal Polyps Nasal polyps occur in the sinuses and can be seen on a panoramic x-ray. Usually, they are painless and caused by chronic inflammation from allergies, infections, asthma and some other conditions. I once took a panoramic x-ray on a patient who was a 25-year-old male. We saw that he had a quite large nasal polyp, and I asked him if he ever had discomfort when flying. He said yes, and he could not fly because the pain would be so bad. It really affected his quality of life, as travelling was limited from the pain he knew he would experience. Long story short, we recommended he go and see his family doctor and get a referral to see a specialist to have it treated. It gave the patient hope that he may be able to fly one day without being in immense pain in his sinus. Cysts There is a cyst indicated with the white arrows on the left side of the above image. This cyst has formed around the wisdom tooth (third molar). It has destroyed some of the bone in the lower jaw and could pose a health risk. Cysts can form pretty much anywhere in the head and neck, but we watch out for them in the jaw bone. They should be monitored regularly because they can have serious adverse effects on health. Cancer This is an important one. So many cancers can go undetected in the mouth for so long, and once they are noticed, it is often in the late stages of cancer and harder to treat, ending up with more severe repercussions. Tumours The effects on the hard tissues from tumours can be seen on dental x-rays. And if something is not looking quite right, we will refer to a specialist right away. It is important to catch these things early. Abnormalities in tooth structure Resorption Teeth can resorb for multiple reasons. This is how baby teeth (with the help of the adult tooth underneath it) lose their roots, so only the crown is left when it falls out. But in adult teeth, it can lead to premature tooth loss, and sometimes the cause is unknown. It most often occurs with braces, and the teeth are moved too quickly/aggressively. It can also occur will chronic inflammation of the nerve/pulpal part of the teeth. Shape of tooth Root shape is important if the tooth needs to be extracted or a root canal needs to be done. Roots that are misshaped, such as having curly roots, will be difficult to treat. Also, if the root/tooth is fractured, it can often be seen on an x-ray. How often should I be getting dental x-rays? There is a personal answer for everyone, and because some people have more dental issues, they may need more x-rays than someone who has not had a cavity in years, and their gum health is good. But you definitely do not need them every 6 months, or every year, unless there is a specific area that is being monitored, and if left can have a detrimental effect. The following chart is a guideline only and should only be used as a tool, not a rule when we take x-rays. Everyone should be assessed individually, and when there is a need to take them, where the benefits outweigh the risks, they should be taken. SituationFrequency of dental x-raysChild: Good oral health, no history of decayBitewings: Taken from the age of 6-7 (when adult 6-year molars erupt)Panorex: 6-7 years of age to check for all adult teeth Child: Poor oral health/history of decayBitewings: Every 12-24 months depending on the situationPanorex: 6 years of age Teenager: No history of decay/good oral healthBitewings: Every 24 months Panorex: Around the age of 15-16 to check on wisdom teethTeenager: A history of decay/poor oral healthBitewings: Every 12-24 months depending on the situationPanorex: Around the age of 15-16 to check on wisdom teethAdult: No history of decay/good oral healthBitewings: Every 24-36 months Panorex: Every 5-7 yearsAdult: History of recent decayBitewings: Every 24 monthsPanorex: Every 5 years or as indicated Adult: Specific area being watchedThat specific area will be x-rayed in 6-12 months I know of dental offices that take bitewings every year, no matter the patient or situation. And that is just wrong. For someone who has no history of disease, or cavities, and no other indicator to take x-rays, they should not be taken. The reason why a lot of dental offices will take bitewings yearly is that insurance companies will cover the price, which means more money for the office. When you put money and greed over the patient's health and safety, it is one of the worst things you could do. I am so thankful I work for a dentist that cares about people more than the money that comes in. Get a second opinion If you think that you are getting too many x-rays, or something seems fishy, then get a second opinion. Truly, I really recommend second opinions. Not everyone knows everything, and also, I hate to say it because my passion is dental hygiene, but like anything else in life, money is sometimes put over people's care. Trust your gut and seek out advice from other professionals. If you tell your dental professional you want a second opinion, pay attention to their reaction. If it is something that you really need and is correct, they should be encouraging a second opinion. How much radiation is from dental x-rays compared to other x-rays The radiation dose measurement that we use is microsieverts and millisieverts. It really depends on the equipment that is used that determines how much radiation the patient is exposed to. Older film type x-rays use a lot more radiation to produce an image on the film vs the newer digital x-ryas that use an electronic sensor. The sensors are much more sensitive to the radiation. Below is a chart for the average dental x-rays and how much radiation dose each one is in millisieverts, compared to other radiation sources that occur in our every day lives. Radiation typeMillisievertsEating one banana0.000100Living in a brick/stone house for one year0.007000Digital: 1 periapical dental x-ray0.005000Digital: 4 bitewings dental x-ray0.020000Digital: Panoramic dental x-ray0.0047-0.0149Digital: Full mouth series dental x-rays0.090000Cross-country flight (New York to Los Angeles)0.040000Mammogram0.420000Chest x-ray0.100000Spinal x-ray1.500000Whole-body CT scan10.00000Maximum yearly dose for radiation workers50.00000 One sievert of radiation is 1000 millisieverts. So it is an extremely low amount of radiation. I love comparing the dosage of the x-rays that we take in the dental office to eating a banana. It really puts things into perspective how little radiation you are getting from dental x-rays. However, you still don't want to be taking them out of routine or because you can. The ALARA principle still stands, and however little the radiation is, it should always be minimized as much as possible. But, people don't usually think twice about eating a banana! Can X-rays be transferred to a new dental office Yes, x-rays can be transferred to a new office. Before you switch to another office, find out when your last x-rays were taken if you can. Or, you can get your new office to contact your old office to get them transferred. You will need to sign a release form, permitting for the x-rays to be transferred. The reason I am bringing this up is that sometimes the new dental office will just go ahead and take new x-rays. But if you have recent x-rays from another office, you shouldn't be having new ones taken. Time place and a purpose They are needed but not as often as you think- it's not the same for everybody. Dentistry has evolved so much in recent years to a much more patient-centred care approach. Not everybody is the same, and they should not all be treated the same. The ALARA principle The ALARA principle, standing for "as low as reasonably achievable". All x-rays do cause some biological damage, even if a very small amount can come from dental x-rays. Radiation is accumulative over a lifetime. And the radiation that you have been exposed to 10-20 years ago and your whole life, stays with you. That is why dental x-rays should be limited and not taken on a routine basis. Lead Aprons Wearing a lead apron can protect the body from scatter radiation. Scatter radiation can have a different wavelength and have more of a risk to damage the tissue. There are a lot of vulnerable tissues in the body that should be protected. Even though dental x-rays are considered a very low amount of radiation, you still want to protect the body as much as you can, and go with the famous saying "better safe than sorry". Digitial vs film-based X-rays Film Digital Many dental offices have switched to digital x-rays from the film, and with good reason. Digital x-rays offer a much lower amount of radiation than using films and saves time that could be used for education and performing treatments on patients. It also completely takes away the need for dangerous chemicals. Old film style x-rays needed dangerous chemicals to process them, which are dangerous to both the user and the environment. Also, because the x-rays are digital and on the computer screen, they can be manipulated for better accuracy when diagnosing them. I can show my patient in a larger format where they have a problem, show them their bone levels and explain the dental treatment that they may require. Types of dental x-rays Periapical Green arrow indicated decay. Blue arrows indicate periapical abscess. This type of x-ray is an image of the whole tooth, from the biting surface to the tip of the root (and a few mm past the root). These x-rays are often taken to see if there is an infection at the root tip and to check for root fractures. They can also be used to observe the sinus level and a few other things. If there is evidence that makes the dentist want a periapical x-ray, we will take it. They are not done on a routine basis unless there is no access to a panoramic x-ray machine. However, a panoramic is a much better diagnostic tool than doing multiple periapical x-rays, and it is a lot less radiation, which is a bonus! Bitewing (often referred to as cavity detecting x-rays) These x-rays are taken the most often, and the main purpose of then is to check for decay/cavities. The most common areas where cavities form is right between the teeth, where the two teeth touch together. Again, it is important to have these because if decay is caught early, you can actually arrest it and stop it from progressing. Panoramic (panorex) Panoramic x-ray This x-ray is done more infrequently and is quite large. It takes a picture of both the top and bottom jaw, the nose and up to the eye sockets. This x-ray should be done when a child is around 6 years old, specifically to check if all the adult teeth are present. There have been a couple of instances where we can see there is a missing adult tooth, and the parents are informed, and a plan can be developed. It is important to check for all the adult teeth, so the appropriate plans can be made. How is the baby tooth going to be replaced, are braces probable, how long can the baby tooth be kept for? As the patient gets older, around 14-16 years of age we will take this x-ray again, and this time to check on the developing wisdom teeth (or if there are any missing), that way we can refer if we need to at the right time, for the wisdom teeth to be extracted. Click the link below to find out why some people don't have wisdom teeth. Is it evolution or another interesting reason? Read now: Why Do Some People Not Have Wisdom Teeth? This x-ray is also taken to observe bone levels in those patients with periodontal disease. The insurance companies will need a copy of this x-ray to validate a person's request for more dental cleanings. Other dental x-rays There are a couple of other types of x-rays that can be taken, but they are rarely used. Occlusal x-rays Occlusal x-ray of an adult assessing broken/fractured lower jaw bone. This type of x-ray is of one arch of the mouth and used to evaluate developing teeth in children but can be used in adults for certain diagnostic reasons. Cephalometric x-rays Cephalometric x-ray This type of x-ray is used by orthodontists to assess the side profile of the face. It is used when planning treatment and to see how the teeth come together on a side angle. CBCT scan These are 3D images of the head and neck. Usually, they are used in more complex dental treatments such as implant therapy and oral surgery. Click the link below to find out exactly how wisdom teeth are taken out. It's a pretty cool and quick process! Read now: How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed? Sometimes if the wisdom teeth are quite close to a nerve, they will do a CT scan of the head and neck to know the exact location of the nerve and its proximity to the wisdom teeth. A 2D x-ray overlays a lot of structures, and it is hard to determine how close the nerve is to the tooth. What type of radiation is used in dentistry There are different types of radiation, and the type we use in the dental setting is ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation has more energy and has a direct effect on the tissues of our bodies. Radiation is all around us This is just a recap of the information that is present in the charts and imaging in this post. Radiation is everywhere, and we are constantly exposed to it. Our cell phones, living in stone/brick houses, and our means of travel are just some examples. Even the elevation in which we live has an impact on how much radiation we absorb from space. There is no escape. This thing that we all have to remember is; the dose is the poison, and do the benefits outweigh the risks? Are dental xrays harmful? Like I mentioned in the previous subheading, dental x-rays are ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation can disrupt the tissue cells and the DNA in them. And all radiation is accumulative over time. However, with dental x-rays, the wavelength that is sent out in a straight line is set to a specific spec and will pass through the tissue with extremely minimal damage. It is the scatter radiation that can cause more harm to the tissue. Because the wavelength is different, it affects the tissue cells more. This is why the patients wear a lead apron. Are dental hygienists, assistants and dentists exposed to radiation? Yes, we are. But, it is such a minute amount. The amount of radiation that is safe to be exposed to is way more than all the x-rays that we even take. And we are not standing in the room with the patients. The safe distance away from the source of the x-rays is six feet. So, that is why we always leave the room when we take the x-rays. As well, the walls and cupboards/shelving units are all lined with lead. Any scatter radiation that is produced gets blocked and absorbed by the lead. Dental professionals can also wear dosimeters, which measure the amount of radiation that we are exposed to. They are organized by the health departments of the government and are sent in to be routinely checked. I hope that this post has provided some insight to the dental world and x-rays. Holly :) Information sourced from; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18762634/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15897284/ https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/x-rays https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/radiation/health-effects/info.html#dose https://www.epa.gov/radiation/calculate-your-radiation-dose https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radiation-sources-and-doses https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=safety-xray https://jcda.ca/article/d7