X-rays in Periodontal Evaluation Since the bone is what keeps your teeth secure, bone loss is an indication of periodontitis, which is a serious oral infection. By utilizing x-rays, your dentist can spot bone loss early and refer you to a periodontist who can diagnose your stage of gum disease.
Diagnosis. How it's done The dentist will examine your gums for signs of inflammation and use a tiny ruler called a “probe” to measure pockets around the teeth. Why it's done In a healthy mouth, the pockets around the teeth are usually between 1 and 3 millimeters. Deeper pockets can be a sign of periodontal disease.
A tooth that has an abscess at its root is generally sensitive to touch or pressure. Recommend an X-ray. An X-ray of the aching tooth can help identify an abscess. Your dentist may also use X-rays to determine whether the infection has spread, causing abscesses in other areas.
In particular, gum disease can be difficult to notice as it may present itself without any major warning signs. With that being said, it is important to never skip dental exams as they allow the general dentist the opportunity to identify these signs and implement a plan to address them.
“These areas aren't visible to us during a clinical exam, so the radiograph lets us view these areas.” He also explained that “there are lots of other things that we look for too; if there is calculus (plaque underneath your gums) visible on the film, that is a sign of gum disease.”
Dental X-rays show: Cavities, especially small areas of decay between teeth. Decay beneath existing fillings. Bone loss in your jaw.
Gum cancer, in particular, is easily confused with gum disease. Nonetheless, the former is characterised by patches or irregular growths on the gums. These are known as erythroleukoplakia when they are red and white, leukoplakia when they are white, and erythroplakia when they are red.
Early signs of gum disease include swollen, tender and reddish or purplish gums. You may see a buildup of plaque on your teeth. As the disease worsens, you may notice loose teeth and pus along your gum line.
Your dentist will be able to detect signs of periodontitis at an early stage during a routine dental examination. They can monitor your periodontal status overtime to make sure it doesn't get any worse. This is why it's important that you visit a dentist on a regular basis for screening.
X-rays. X-rays use electromagnetic radiation to create pictures of the skeleton, called plain radiographs. These images may be used to identify the exact location of an infection. X-rays are also used to look for any changes in the bone that may indicate a chronic infection.
An X-ray won't show subtle bone injuries, soft tissue injuries or inflammation. However, even if your doctor suspects a soft tissue injury like a tendon tear, an X-ray might be ordered to rule out a fracture.
For this reason, dentists use x-rays to identify a radiolucency, which is a term defining a dark spot on the tip of the problem tooth, and indicates that bone changes have already happened due to the infection inside of the tooth. X-rays, however, are not always a 100% indicator that a root canal is needed.
"Often, diseases like cancer, anemia and diabetes will first be identified by the dentist in a regular examination, and this saves lives." And it's not just diseases—dentists can discover everything from your bad habits to your favorite beverages simply by asking you to say, "Ahh!"
If it is caught in its early stages, gum disease can usually be treated effectively. However, if your dentist fails to spot the signs, it can lead to severe injury.
During the early gingivitis stages, gum inflammation can occur in as little as five days. Within two to three weeks, the signs of generalized gingivitis become more noticeable. If you still leave this untreated, it would progress to slight periodontal disease.
47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease increases with age, 70.1% of adults 65 years and older have periodontal disease.
Gum disease is where the gums become red, swollen and sore, and bleed. It's very common, but it's important to get it checked by a dentist.
Stage 4: Progressive Periodontitis
This stage involves teeth looseness, shifting teeth, red, swollen and painful gums, often forming an abscess. The end result — eating and even smiling is hard and painful, and you may lose most of your teeth.
Research has linked oral health problems such as periodontal or gum disease to many health conditions, including diabetes, heart and kidney disease, Alzheimer's, asthma, osteoporosis, and cancer. Dr. Mariotti says there are more than 120 conditions that have been associated with dental problems.
As such, it's possible to have gum disease even if you don't have cavities. Gum disease can lead to serious issues like sensitive teeth, tooth loss, receding gums, and more, so it's important to be informed about gum disease and be able to recognize the symptoms.
Antibiotics. Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or putting gel containing an antibiotic into gum pockets. Sometimes oral antibiotics are needed to get of bacteria that cause infections.
An infected root canal system may or may not show up on an x-ray. However, an x-ray can help your dentist determine if the infection has spread to the surrounding bones. In some cases, the infection may cause a darkening of the bone or a loss of density, which can be seen on an x-ray.
The dentin layer is between the enamel and the pulp. The purple arrows are pointing to areas of decay, which show up as a dark spot on x-rays. Bacteria have attacked the tooth and have dissolved the enamel and entered the dentin. The decay must be removed before it dissolves the dentin and enters the pulp.