Dental Radiographs (X-Rays)

Dental Radiographs

A pediatric dentist’s goal is to ascertain the problems your child is facing and draw the best possible dental treatment plan for quick and long-term results. But, a mere visual examination does not tell the dentist everything necessary for the treatment plan. Thanks to dental radiographs, also known as dental X-rays, dentists can precisely diagnose your child’s problem and treat before it worsens.

Dental X-rays allows the dentist to catch and treat problems like cavities, tooth decay, orthodontic misalignment, bone injuries, and bone diseases in children before they become severe. A clinical examination with a naked eye does not usually catch these kinds of problems and in a few cases, it is highly impossible.

Dr. Joseph Cheng, DDS., located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, is a highly-skilled pediatric dentist who will first review your child’s dental history, examine his/her mouth and then decide whether the child needs an X-ray and what type. 

Benefits of using Dental X-Rays

  • It helps to assess the amount of space available for the incoming permanent teeth.
  • The extent to which the bone disease has progressed can be evaluated.
  • It throws a better light on bone injuries, abscesses, and tumors.
  • Developmental abnormalities and periodontal diseases are revealed.
  • It helps diagnose and monitor tooth decay.
  • It helps plan orthodontic and several other treatments.
  • It helps reveal impacted wisdom teeth.

Need for Dental X-Rays

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) consents to the use of dental X-rays for diagnostic purposes in pre-teens and teenagers. The need for dental X-rays depends on the individual factors defining how frequently a child requires it.

  • If your child is at high risk of orthodontic problems like malocclusion, X-rays are taken frequently to monitor the teeth.
  • If Dr. Cheng determines that your child is at a higher-than-average risk of tooth decay, biannual x-rays have to be taken to closely monitor the changes in the teeth’s condition.
  • If your child has orthodontic problems that are of average or less than average degree, Dr. Cheng will take the X-rays every one to two years.
  • Dr. Cheng may suggest taking X-rays even when there is no decay as it is essential to monitor tooth and jaw growth periodically which helps to ensure that there is sufficient space for the incoming permanent teeth.
  • When a child exposed to injury or trauma, Dr. Cheng may take an X-ray to know the severity of the damage.

Precautions

Though dental X-rays have been given a green flag by the AAPD, Dr. Cheng will ensure to take several precautions so that X-ray procedure does not damage your child’s cells and bodily tissues. The child’s body and the parts of the face that are not being X-rayed are well shielded. Dr. Cheng uses high-speed film to eliminate radiation exposure to whatever extent possible.

Office Hours

Monday

9:00am - 6:00pm

Tuesday

8:00am - 5:00pm

Wednesday

7:00am - 5:00pm

Thursday

8:00am - 5:00pm

Friday

8:00am - 2:00pm

Saturday

CLOSED

Sunday

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