X-rays help our staff understand the structure of the child’s mouth and the pictures give insight into potential issues down the road.
What are X-rays?
Also known as radiographs, dental X-rays are essentially pictures of your teeth, mouth and gums. Dentists use them to help identify cavities and other potential damage to your teeth and gums.
There are several types of X-rays, and we can walk you through the type of X-rays your child will need. These include:
Bitewing X-rays – These are the most common with pediatric patients and are used to check for cavities between teeth. The patient will “bite down” on a piece of cardboard.
Occlusal X-rays – These are taken with your jaw closed and will allow us to see how the upper and lower teeth line up.
Panoramic X-rays – These X-rays are not done frequently. This is a machine that rotates around your head.
Periapical X-rays – This technique is only used when we need to see the entire tooth, from root to crown.
New Patients & Emergency Appointments Welcome!
How often are X-rays taken?
Every child and every situation is different, and we approach each patient with a personalized approach that meets their individual needs. Generally, we take X-rays once a year for preventive measure – this helps us identify cavities at early stages so we can formulate a treatment plan before major damage takes place. The longer a cavity goes, the more in-depth the treatment plan becomes.
There are situations that will require us to take more frequent X-rays – for example, if your child has an ongoing challenge and needs closer monitoring (such as an actively growing cavity).
Are X-rays safe?
At Lancaster Pediatric Dentistry, we capture digital X-rays, which have far less radiation than conventional X-rays. Additional precautions - such as wearing a lead apron to minimize exposure - are taken to increase safety. If you have any questions about the safety of pediatric X-rays, please don’t hesitate to contact us or talk with our staff during your appointment.
Our pediatric specialists can help!
To schedule your child for a preventive cleaning and exam, please contact us to schedule an appointment. If the timing and situation calls for it, we can capture X-rays of your child’s teeth during the appointment. Lancaster Pediatric Dentistry is dedicated to making dental visits easy, fun and enjoyable for kids of all ages.
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