A practitioner of Pediatric Dentistry in Kingston Wa is likely to recommend dental x-rays for children at some point. As with adults, the process is entirely free of discomfort, although it may make a young child nervous the first time. For the first session, the dentist may order a short process with only a couple of quick X-rays to get the child accustomed to the process.
Alignment
One reason dentists want to view radiographic images of a child’s mouth is to evaluate any future needs for orthodontic treatment. Even earlier, a pediatric dentist may want to view the combination of primary teeth that are in place and the adult teeth behind them. This allows the dentist to spot any irregularities early on.
Tooth Decay
In some cases, a practitioner of Pediatric Dentistry in Kingston Wa may order X-rays to see the severity of tooth decay if damage to one or more teeth is extensive. Some parents have the mistaken belief that proper care for baby teeth is unimportant since those teeth fall out by an early age. That might lead to more extensive tooth decay than would otherwise occur.
Some teeth may need to be extracted while others can be filled after the decay is drilled out. Children need teeth for chewing and for cosmetic reasons, which is why baby teeth typically don’t come loose until the adult teeth behind them are ready to emerge.
Nerve Damage
Another reason for this diagnostic imaging is when a child’s tooth begins turning dark several days after a strong impact to the mouth. This indicates severe damage to the nerve. Root canal treatment will be required.
Wisdom Teeth
In teenagers, dentists want to view the wisdom teeth that have still not erupted. They can then see whether those teeth are coming in straight or not. Sometimes wisdom teeth become impacted because they are not entirely vertical as they descend or ascend.
Safe Practices
Dental clinics like Dentistry for Children make sure their X-ray imagery is as safe as possible for all patients. That means making modifications for pediatric patients and others who may have special considerations.