The role of dental X-rays in the treatment of dental diseases

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Van Phan - Head of Interventional Imaging Unit - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

Dental X-rays help provide dentists with a clear picture of the location and condition of teeth that have decay, periodontal disease, abscesses, cysts, cysts, or other oral problems that are not visible to the naked eye. can see.

Dental X-ray is an important supportive technique in the diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases. X-rays will give a clear picture of the location and condition of teeth with decay, periodontal (gum) disease, abscesses, cysts, cysts, or other abnormalities. As a result, providing the dentist with information that cannot be seen with the naked eye. This helps a lot to diagnose as well as have a better treatment plan for dental disease, suitable for the patient's condition.
Dental X-rays are often used to:
● Find out dental problems such as: tooth decay, damage to the bone supporting the teeth, trauma to the teeth (broken roots,...). In this case, dental X-rays are used to detect problems early before clinical symptoms appear.
● Find out which teeth are not in the correct position or which are deep in the gums. Teeth that grow close to each other and penetrate the gums are called molars.
Detect cysts, abnormal growths (tumors), or abscesses
Check the position of permanent teeth growing in the jaw in children with baby teeth
Find a way to treat the hole large or dangerous decay, root canal surgery, dental implants, or difficult tooth extraction
● Find a treatment for misaligned teeth (orthodontics).
● Follow up after dental treatment.
It is also important to note that if you only do common cosmetic procedures such as removing tartar, whitening teeth, most of the time you don't need to take X-rays.

2.1. Bite angiography Bite angiography is the most common type of dental X-ray.
Bite margin showing the crown above the gum and the height of the bone between the teeth. Bite margins help diagnose periodontal (gum) disease and interdental caries.

2.2. Total dental X-ray A complete dental x-ray shows all the teeth and surrounding bones.
Complete dental X-rays help diagnose cavities, cysts or tumors, abscesses, impacted teeth and gum disease.

2.3. X-ray around the teeth With the method of taking X-rays around the teeth, there is no need to place the X-ray film into the mouth of the operator. Instead, the person being photographed just sits still, the X-ray machine rotates around and takes the picture, which gives a large picture of the jaw and teeth.
This type of dental X-ray is particularly useful because it can show the upper and lower jaw at the same time. As a result, affected teeth or abnormal hidden structures that are normally difficult to see on small films can be easily detected.

2.4. Periapical X-ray (PA) A periapical radiograph is performed to pinpoint the area of ​​interest. This method is especially useful in cases of toothache.
2.5. Cone Beam CT or 3-D X-ray Cone Beam CT is a technological advancement that can help dentists view structures that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Cone Beam CT uses rotary radiology equipment, combined with a digital microcomputer, to capture clear 3-D images of soft tissue, bone, muscle and blood vessels.

X-rays will use small amounts of X-rays, which are potentially radioactive. However, in medicine in general and in dentistry in particular, the amount of X-rays used to take X-rays is very small and completely controlled. Furthermore, dentists usually order X-rays only when necessary. Therefore, medical X-rays are safe and not dangerous.
When taking dental X-rays, you are always carefully protected by three factors: low beam intensity, high speed film to minimize radiation contamination, and short film time. In addition, the machine's lamp head only targets the area to be taken (for dentistry, it is the teeth).
The film room is also protected with lead walls, lead glass helps to absorb the maximum amount of scattered rays, patients are allowed to wear lead shirts, lead aprons, lead collars to minimize X-ray exposure. The technicians and dentists in the imaging room are also well-trained in radiation safety and technique.
To minimize the influence of X-rays, you should choose to take X-rays with a digital dental X-ray machine and do not take X-rays too often.

As mentioned above, the fact that dental X-rays do not cause any significant harm to health if not taken regularly.
However, in the case of pregnant women, or small children, X-rays can still be performed, but only if absolutely necessary.
If you are a pregnant woman, you need to inform the medical staff when taking the scan so that you can help you with fetal protective equipment such as lead vest, lead bib, lead collar...
Children sometimes are also assigned to take dental X-rays to check the teething process of children, avoid deviations such as teeth that are slanted, misaligned, early detection of cavities, etc. Children also need to wear protective gear. with lead when taking dental X-rays to ensure safety.
Dental X-ray is an important diagnostic tool for dentists. Early detection and prompt treatment are the best ways to ensure healthy teeth throughout life.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, all dental services are performed according to strict infection control standards, ensuring maximum safety and hygiene for customers. Radiographs and diagnostics were performed with fully digital radiography machines. This reduces radiation dose by up to 50% compared to previous “traditional” X-ray machines. Thereby ensuring maximum safety and efficiency in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Dr. Nguyen Van Phan is an interventional radiologist and radiologist, with extensive experience in diagnosing and performing vascular interventions such as brain aneurysm implantation, brain stenting, and vascular malformations. cerebrovascular brain; embolization to treat hemoptysis; treatment of liver tumors, uterine fibroids, benign prostatic hypertrophy, stem cell transplantation for treatment of cirrhosis, congenital biliary atrophy, Type II diabetes... Non-vascular interventions such as high-frequency ablation frequency (RFA) treatment of liver tumors, benign thyroid tumors; aspiration and drainage of abscesses, drainage and stenting of biliary tract, urinary kidney; aspiration cytology and biopsies of breast, thyroid, lymph nodes, soft tissue, biopsy of liver tumors, lung tumors, bone tumors ...

Reference source: California Dental Association