Low Radiation Digital X-rays
What are Dental X-rays?
A dental x-ray is an image that enables us to see underneath the surface of teeth and gums. These images can help us to see decay, infections, impacted teeth, bone loss and many other oral-related problems. X-rays use a very minimal amount of radiation, so they are safe for patients of all ages. Our goal is to provide you with a comfortable and safe experience when having x-rays taken.
Laser Frenectomy – How Does It Work?
A soft tissue laser does not cut. Instead, it vaporizes tissue with light energy almost painlessly. In addition, the laser procedure causes almost no bleeding. Lasers sterilize at the touch and therefore cause less risk of infection. Healing is very quick—a laser stimulates bio-regeneration. The result is beautiful tissue and less chance of relapse.
Tongue Tie
What Does It Really Mean?
Ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie, is the restriction of tongue movement as a result of fusion or adherence of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. A tongue-tie is caused by a frenum that is abnormally short or attached too close to the tip of the tongue.
Normal tongue function is important for multiple reasons. Among the many benefits, normal tongue function allows a baby to latch adequately and breastfeed efficiently, promotes normal speech development, makes it possible for a child to self-cleanse the mouth during eating, supports adequate swallowing patterns, allows for proper growth and development, and makes fun little things like eating ice cream, kissing, or sticking your tongue out to catch snowflakes possible.
Challenges That Can Occur With A Tongue-Tie
- Inability to open mouth widely, affecting speech and eating habits
- Inability to speak clearly when talking fast/loud/soft
- Clicking jaws
- Pain in jaws
- Protrusion of the lower jaw (inferior prognathism)
- Effects on social situations such as kissing, licking ice cream
- Dental health complications such as a tendency toward inflamed gums and increased need for periodontal surgery
- In the elderly, difficulty in keeping a denture in place
Lip Tie
How Can A Lip-Tie Affect My Child?
A LIP-TIE OCCURS WHEN THE UPPER LIP REMAINS ATTACHED TO THE UPPER GUM. CHALLENGES THAT CAN OCCUR IN CHILDREN AND INFANTS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE LIP-TIES INCLUDE:
- Pain with breastfeeding
- Inability to adequately flange the maxillary lip upward during breastfeeding, affecting an infant’s latch and ability to create a good seal
- Formation of a large gap between the maxillary central incisors, called a diastema
- Difficulties with brushing and flossing
- Increased risk of dental decay
- Repeated trauma to the maxillary frenum because it is so low and prominent
Why would you need Dental X-rays?
The main reason you would need dental x-rays is because in many cases, an examination just isn't enough. There may be a lot of things going on below the surface of your gums and we won't be able to see anything without the help of an x-ray. Some of the different things that we can see on an x-ray include underlying tooth decay, root infections, bone loss and impacted wisdom teeth. For children, x-rays allow us to monitor development and growth of permanent teeth.
What makes someone a candidate for Dental X-rays?
Most of our patients are candidates to have dental x-rays taken. Because we use such a small amount of radiation, the process is deemed safe and necessary for those coming into our office. However, we will always go over your medical history prior to recommending any type of x-ray procedure. This ensures that you are healthy enough to undergo radiation in the office.
What happens during the Dental X-ray process?
Our friendly team member will drape a lead apron over your midsection. We then place a tiny, comfortable device inside of the mouth and behind several of your teeth. Our x-ray machine is then aimed at this device and the image is taken. We repeat this exact process for all other necessary x-rays. Our team of experts will then review your x-rays to help in creating a unique treatment plan. We often recommend that x-rays be taken regularly and at most appointments.
If you would like to learn more about x-rays and how they're taken, call us today and we will be happy to further assist you.
Providing detailed dental X-rays in Bellevue, Art of Pediatric Dentistry serves families from Kirkland, Redmond, and Issaquah. Our state-of-the-art imaging technology aids in precise diagnosis and treatment for our young patients
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