IF YOU COULD HAVE any superpower, what would it be? Would you choose super strength? How about the power of flight? Maybe you’d like the ability to see through solid objects! Although super strength and flight may not come too easily, you don’t have to search far for X-ray vision (in a manner of speaking)!
Today, we want to share with you a little bit about X-rays and how we use them in our practice to spot issues before they have a negative effect on your orthodontic treatment!
X-Rays Were Discovered By Accident!
X-rays were first observed in 1895 by German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen (1845-1923). Roentgen accidentally made this discovery while conducting an experiment testing whether cathode rays would pass through glass. After covering the glass cathode tubes he was using for his experiment, he noticed a glow coming from a nearby chemically coated screen. He was unsure what rays were causing the glow so he dubbed them “X-rays” for the time-being, and the name stuck!
Roentgen is also credited with discovering the medical use of X-rays. The first photograph of a human body part using X-rays is actually his wife’s hand!
Orthodontic X-Rays Help Spot Hidden Problems
X-rays have become an incredibly valuable tool in modern medicine—especially for orthodontics! We learn a lot from visually examining your teeth, but not everything is visible to the naked eye during a routine exam.
Orthodontic X-rays can be helpful in identifying dental and orthodontic issues that exist beneath the gum line—allowing us to see the angle of your individual teeth, the length of the roots, whether teeth are missing, or impacted. It also helps us see the jaw and check the overall balance of your mouth and face’s bone structure.
This information is key in providing the most effective orthodontic treatment plan for your unique situation.
We Have Your Safety In Mind
Both traditional and digital X-ray exams are safe. Though low levels of radiation are used to capture the X-ray images, each technique is designed to limit the body’s exposure to radiation. A leaded apron and thyroid collar are often used to minimize exposure to the abdomen and throat during an examination. These protective measures are helpful for everyone, but especially recommended for children, women of childbearing age, and those who are pregnant.
If you are pregnant and in need of dental X-rays, be sure to tell your dental professional. They will be sure to use the leaded apron and thyroid collar during your exam to protect you and your fetus from any radiation. Dental X-rays do not need to be delayed if you’re breastfeeding or trying to become pregnant, but talk to your dentist if you have any questions or concerns.
Prevention Is The Key To Healthy Smiles
We want to keep your mouth as healthy as possible and preserve your beautiful smile. That’s why it’s essential that we discover and diagnose the earliest sign of a problem. X-rays are an essential tool in helping spot these problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. If you have any questions about dental X-rays, please let us know! We’d love to speak with you about this or any other questions you may have.