Lake Lanier Smiles answers the frequently asked questions by
our dental patients. If you have any questions about oral health and products,
please call us or email us and we will answer them in our next blog.
ARE DENTAL X –RAYS SAFE?
Dental Professionals have made many advances in Dentistry.
One of those advances has been the lowering of the radiation level emitted
during a dental x-ray.
The New Digital X-ray machine used at our Buford dental
office was designed so that only the small area would be exposed to the
radiation beam.
The exposure time has been shortened due to the high speed
films. In comparison, the older x-ray
machine there is more exposure due the larger cone that emits radiation
(scatter radiation) to a larger area. The
larger cone also allows the image to be of poor quality, due to placement on
the holder and movement of the cone. The
film is a slower speed than the digital, more exposure.
The film holders are
larger and can slip when they are bitten onto by the patient. These result in having to repeat the x-ray which
doubles the amount of exposure. The use
of the new digital x-ray machine eliminates all of the issues, therefore lowers
the amount of radiation emitted during a dental x-ray.
Patients are also protected
from exposure to the body by the use of a full body lead apron which protects
the patient’s body from a scatter radiation.
The lead apron is made of a water resistant material which
can be sanitized and is lined with lead.
These are not needed when a modem digital x-ray, they are still used as
a secondary precaution or for the reassurance of the patient.
Radiation when a person is continuously exposed to any and
all sources may damage their body’s cells and tissues. Therefore, it can ultimately
lead the patient to development one of different types of cancer.
There are many places where a person can be exposed to
radiation including outside in the sunlight, in your home or workplace when
using appliances, in a medical office, hospital and dental office.
Digital x-rays are considered one of the lowest levels of those listed that emit radiation and are
necessary for the diagnosis of malformations of the teeth and facial bones,
cavities, bone loss, problems in the soft tissue and placement of wisdom teeth.
In addition to the precautions the dental professions already
make there is a federal law that requires the dental practice to have a
complete inspection and testing of the x-ray machine every two years. The machine is checked for safety and the
accuracy by a licensed x-ray technician.
In some states it required that the x-ray machine be tested and
inspected more frequently.
DENTAL SEALANTS AND ITS
IMPORTANCE
Dental Sealants are one of the most recommended procedures
performed by your Dental Professional. They
are highly recommended for children and adults.
Children should start getting their sealants placed as soon
as their permanent premolars and molars are completely erupted. Which means that the biting surface has come
in enough that the biting surface has completely out of the gum tissue.
If done when there is gum tissue present the sealant will not
adhere to the tooth or will leave an area exposed and subject to decay. Each tooth if done at this time it will be
free of stains and decay.
Sealants will protect the tooth during their childhood and
adolescent years when most children develop cavities. Sealants are extremely cost effective.
Most insurance’s cover the cost of the sealant at 100%,
because they are considered a preventative.
However, because they are so beneficial and have been proven to be the best
course of treatment, most dental insurance’s are placing a no age limit
rule.
Adults should have sealants placed on unrestored molars and
premolars (free from fillings). The
sealant will protect the tooth from decay and will help protect the tooth from
some fractures.
Patients that grind
their teeth have found them to be useful because of the barrier from tooth to
tooth. If the adult sealants are not
covered by insurance they usually have a reduced rate if the patient is uninsured
the dental practice offers them at low cost.
Sealants are a thin layer of plastic that is applied to the
biting surface of the tooth and the sealant is usually clear or white in color
when they dry and harden.
However, to insure that the tooth is completely covered the
manufactures of sealants added color to the liquid. To makes it more visible to the dental
professional so they can make sure to the dental professional apply the liquid
to all of the depressions and grooves of each tooth.
The sealant placement only requires about 2 minutes to place
and they will dry and harden within 2 minutes using a blue curing light. The curing light presents no ill effects and
is completely safe.
Although it is recommended that a patient use protective
eye wear as it is with all Dental procedures.
There are some sealant formulas that do not require the use of the
curing light. These sealants will dry
very quickly and they are just as durable and long lasting.
Sealants can last for
many years with
proper oral hygiene and regular dental hygiene appointments. It has been proven that if a patient continues to maintain
the sealant throughout their lifetime that tooth will not develop decay on the
biting surface.
One thing to remember is to have it replaced if the sealant
cracks, becomes chipped or comes off.
There have been instances where the sealant has also worn away from
grinding and the sealant had to be replaced.
A sealant will come off due to saliva mixing with the sealant
material at the time it was originally placed and the sealant came out within a
few days. Replacement is usually done
free of charge at that time.
But most insurance’s
cover the replacement once every three years. Because of a patient’s diet and eating habits
sealants have been removed or broken by sticky candy, sticky foods, hard candy,
and gum. Sealants can stain due to the
consumption of certain food, soda and condiments. Those types of stain can be polished off by
your dental professional.
Sealants are an
excellent investment
in your child’s or your cavity protection and Dental Health. However, sealants do not protect the other
sides of the tooth. What will is
brushing, flossing and regular hygiene appointments.
If
you have any questions about your Oral Health or to make an appointment to see
us, Call us at 770-831-0559 or visit us at WWW. LAKELANIERSMILES.COM for
Valuable Coupons and Specials. Our prices are 30-50 % Off Regular Prices. Call
Us before Noon and we will see you the Same Day. We accept most insurances. We
are conveniently located just off I-985 at 4965 Lanier Islands Parkway, Suite
105, Buford, Ga- 30418. LAKE
LANIER SMILES provides Affordable dental care with outstanding customer service
to patients in Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Cumming, Flowery Branch and
surrounding areas.
