Dental X-rays
Radiographic, or X-ray, examinations provide Dr. Hancock with an important tool that shows the condition of your teeth, its roots, jaw placement and the overall composition of your facial bones. X-rays can help Dr. Hancock determine the presence or degree of periodontal (gum) disease, abscesses and many abnormal growths, such as cysts and tumors. X-rays also can show the exact location of impacted and unerupted teeth. They can pinpoint the location of cavities and other signs of disease that may not be possible to detect through a visual examination.
How often do I need to have X-rays taken?
Your radiographic schedule is based on Dr. Hancock’s assessment of your individual needs, including whether you’re a new patient or a follow-up patient, adult or child. In most cases, new patients require a full set of mouth X-rays to evaluate oral health status, including any underlying signs of gum disease, and for future comparison. This may include a panoramic x-ray, which allows Dr. Hancock to see the entire structure of your mouth in a single image.Follow-up patients may require X-rays to monitor their gum condition or their chance of tooth decay.
Why do I need both types of X-rays?
What is apparent through one type of X-ray often is not visible on another. The panoramic X-ray will give Dr. Hancock a general and comprehensive view of your entire mouth on a single film, which other X-rays cannot show. On the other hand, you might need close-up X- rays to show a highly detailed image of a smaller area, making it easier for Dr. Hancock to see decay between your teeth. X-rays are not prescribed indiscriminately. Dr. Hancock has a need for the different information that each X-ray can provide to formulate a diagnosis.
Should I be concerned about exposure to radiation?
Dental X-rays require exposure to very low levels of radiation, which makes the risk of potentially harmful effects very small. Dr. Hancock is sensitive to patients’ concerns about exposure to radiation. Dr. Hancock has been trained to prescribe X-rays when they are appropriate and to tailor radiographic schedules to each patient’s individual needs. By using state-of-the-art technology and by staying knowledgeable about recent advances, Dr. Hancock knows which techniques, procedures and X-ray films can minimize your exposure to radiation.
Sealants
A dental sealant is a thin plastic film painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent cavities.
Studies have proven that properly applied sealants are 100-percent effective in protecting the tooth surfaces from cavities. As long as the sealant remains intact, small food particles and bacteria that cause cavities cannot penetrate through or around a sealant.
Children, because they have newly erupted, permanent teeth, receive the greatest benefit from sealants. The chewing surfaces of a child’s teeth are most susceptible to cavities. Surveys show that the majority of all cavities occur in the narrow pits and grooves of a child’s newly erupted teeth because food particles and bacteria cannot be cleaned out. Other patients also can benefit from sealant placement, such as those who have existing pits and grooves susceptible to decay. Research has shown that almost everybody has a 95-percent chance of eventually experiencing cavities in the pits and grooves of their teeth.