Dental x-ray

Dental radiography is the taking and processing of X-ray films of the teeth and jaws. When an X-ray set is switched on, X-ray are generated and pass out of the set through a metal tube which is pointed towards the required area.

Some of the commonest uses of X- rays in dentistry are to show the following:

• Unerupted teeth, impacted teeth and retained roots
• Shape, size and number of roots of a tooth, and state of the surrounding bone, prior to extraction
• Presence of chronic alveolar abscesses on dead teeth
• Progress of endodontic treatment
• Bone loss in periodontal disease
• Early detection of caries
• Development of the teeth in children, for orthodontics purposes
• Fractures, cysts and bone disease affecting the jaws