X-rays are incredibly valuable as diagnostic tools, and there
are occasions when dentists need children to take them in order to diagnose any
damage or a disease in their teeth. Because they expose children to radiation, some
parents may feel reluctant about consenting to X-rays until they feel more knowledgeable
about the procedure. To get an idea of why x-rays are performed, here are a few
key details parents should know about dental X-rays for children.
When are X-Rays
Required?
The American Dental Association (ADA) revealed new
guidelines for X-rays as of 2012, and dentists utilize their professional
judgment as well as these guidelines to determine when children require X-rays.
Before they recommend X-rays, dentists will review the child's medical history before
completing a clinical exam.
There are many areas within a child's mouth dentists
cannot see during an exam, such as inside the teeth or under the gums, that
they must see in order to thoroughly inspect and treat their patients. Some of
the clinical scenarios that would make dental X-rays necessary include the
following:
·Checking for familial dental anomalies
·Finding cavities on or between the teeth
·Checking past endodontic treatments
·Determining cause of swelling in the mouth
·Evaluating post-trauma injuries to teeth
·Evaluating alveolar bone’s health
·Determining the number of teeth
·Determining impact of possibly unerupted teeth
·Determining if any unerupted teeth aren’t there
·Checking if teeth have periodontal disease or bone
loss
·Visualizing impacted or malposed teeth
Variety of X-Rays
While it depends on what the dentist needs to know, there
are several kinds of X-rays available to choose from, some of which include the
following:
· Bitewing
: These X-rays are used to look
at crowns in the lower and upper teeth in a certain area in the mouth, such as
the premolars and molars. Bitewings can find cavities between teeth that are difficult
to see and can monitor past fillings for wear and tear.
· Periapical
: This X-ray zooms in on one or
more teeth, displaying the entire tooth from crown to root. Periapical X-rays
are used for finding cavities and issues in the tooth's root and the
surrounding jaw bone.
· Panoramic
: This type of X-ray shows the
child's entire mouth with just one X-ray, leaving teeth in the lower and upper
jaws visible. These X-rays can monitor children's teeth development as well as determine
if braces are necessary. They’re also for checking impacted teeth, emerging
teeth, or tumors.
· Orthodontic
: This X-ray shows an entire
side of a child's head. With the teeth visible within the same image as the
head and jaw, these X-rays can help plan orthodontic treatments.
· Occlusal
: These X-rays can show entire
arches of teeth in the bottom or top jaw. Occlusal X-rays are used for seeing all
of the teeth’s placement in a child's mouth and seeing how the teeth fit
together whenever the child bites.
Safety Measures
Since an X-ray would expose your child to radiation, it’s understandable
to be worried about the potential risks. However, the American Academy of
Pediatric Dentistry has reassured parents that the radiation received during
dental X-rays is a very small amount. Modern X-ray equipment allows dentists to
focus the X-ray’s beam on the targeted area in order to reduce exposure to
radiation. Protective equipment, such as lead body shields and aprons, also
keep children safe during the procedure.
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