At St. Mary’s Dental in Mechanicsville MD, providing first-rate dental care is much easier when we have thorough information about our patients’ dental health.
Pictures are more accurate than written notes. Since they show what’s going on below the surface, they’re worth even more than a thousand words. Along with a thorough visual oral exam, most dentists want complete and up-to-date X-rays.
There are several types of x-rays:
- Bite-Wing x-rays give us a picture of the upper and lower back teeth. We can see how they touch each other and see if there is any decay.
- Panoramic x-rays give us the big picture: a view of the teeth, jaws and jaw joints, nasal area, and even the sinuses. These are especially useful if we think the patient may need orthodontics or a dental implant.
- Occlusal x-rays show us the floor of the mouth, and the bite of the upper or lower jaw. They’re good for showing the development of children’s teeth, both the baby and permanent teeth.
How often we take X-rays is largely determined by your age as well as the state of your dental health. Because children are growing and experience more changes to their teeth, they usually need X-rays more frequently.
Some patients worry about X-rays. They use radiation, after all. Modern X-rays are designed to minimize patient exposure. Patients only get negligible amounts, making them safe. The latest generations of X-rays reduce radiation even more. Still, we take the added safety measure of covering the patient with a heavy leaded apron and collar.
At St. Mary’s Dental in Mechanicsville MD we are committed to providing the best possible dental care. Our services include general and family dentistry. People from North Waldorf, East Huntingtown, and South Laplata also come to our office for restorative dentistry, and much more. Schedule an appointment with us today!
Contact St. Mary’s Dental:
301-884-3248
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
28169 Old Village Rd
Mechanicsville, Maryland
20659