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Radiographs

Radiographs are generally done by the Assistant. In most offices the assistant and the Hygienist take radiographs. Radiographs play an important role in the dental office. They provide the dentist with the condition of the teeth, roots, jaw placement, and overall composition of the facial bones. Radiographs also show the placement of impacted or unerupted teeth.
Radiographs can determine the presence or degree or periodontal disease, abscesses, and abnormal growths. Typically, Bitewings or periapical radiographs are taken. Bitewings show where cavities may be where the normal eye can’t see. Periapical radiographs show root structure, bone level and abscessed.
Not everyone has to have new radiographs taken every six months. New radiographs are taken according to the patients personal needs. It depends on factors such as being pregnant, a new patient, a recall patient, adult or patient. Few patients who don’t know to much about radiology will often refuse an X-ray. Dentist will try to explain to the all the ways that they are protected when getting there X-ray but it is still up to the patient if they say no then its no. But its going to make the dentist job very difficult to detect some areas that might have decay or if that patient has an abscessed tooth. If a patient is pregnant then they will most likely not take any X-rays it could be harmful to the baby. For a recall patient, additional radiographs me need to be taken to detect decay. If you are developing a cavity they may need to take a radiograph more often to check its process.
Another form of taking radiographs are Panoramic radiographs. These are taken to see the entire structure of the mouth in one image. Panoramic radiographs may also reveal calcification of the carotid artery. A dentist should look at this and if they find anything suspicious, they should refer the patient to a specialist. The dentist shouldn’t however, take a panoramic radiograph...