Exams
Regular and comprehensive exams are essential for detecting and preventing dental diseases. Dr. Miller recommends that every patient receive a comprehensive exam to evaluate for dental carries, gum disease, and occlusal disease (bite and TMJ problems) at least twice a year. Dental diseases are often preventable, and we utilize the latest technology to help you understand the condition of your mouth, and help to educate and guide you in the best ways to prevent these problems in your mouth. If you do have dental diseases, committing to regular and routine radiographs and exams will help Dr. Miller detect these issues early helping to minimize any long term damage that may be caused. Also, problems found at an early stage are easier and less expensive to treat, and have better long term success!
Radiographic Imaging (X-rays)
Radiographic Imaging (X-rays) provides valuable information that helps Dr. Miller evaluate your oral health. With the help of radiographs Dr. Miller can look at what is happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums.
How often X-rays (radiographs) should be taken depends on your present oral health, your age, your risk for disease, and any signs and symptoms of oral disease you may be experiencing. For example, children may require X-rays more often than adults. This is because their teeth and jaws are still developing. Also their teeth are more likely to be affected by tooth decay than those of adults.
If you are a new patient, Dr. Miller may recommend a full set of radiographs to determine the present status of your oral health and to help establish a base line to identify changes that may occur later. This allows Dr. Miller to detect any new cavities, determine the status of your gum health and evaluate the growth and development of your teeth. If a previous dentist has any radiographs of you, Dr. Miller may ask you for copies of them.
If you are one of our many current patients, Dr. Miller will usually recommend updating certain radiographs on an annual basis.
Advantages Of Dental Radiographs
Because many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when Dr. Miller examines your mouth, an X-ray examination can help reveal:
- Small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing restorations (fillings)
- Infections in the bone
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Abscesses or cysts
- Developmental abnormalities
- Some types of tumors
Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save time, money and unnecessary discomfort. Radiographs can help Dr. Miller detect problems in your mouth that otherwise would not be seen.
How Do Dental X-rays Compare To Other Sources Of Radiation?
The amount of radiation that we are exposed to from dental X-rays is very small compared to our daily exposure from things like cosmic radiation and naturally occurring radioactive elements (for example, those producing radon).
Dr. Miller’s office utilizes the latest digital technology in radiographic imaging. This benefits our patients by providing excellent quality diagnostics with the lowest possible radiation exposure.