What are dental bitewings? Does the dentist really need them?
Bitewings are four diagnostic x-rays that are typically taken once a year and allow us to see between the spaces of the molars and premolars. Because these spaces can’t be seen visually when we do an exam we use x-rays to help ensure that if there is a cavity it does not go undiagnosed.
Without bitewings we can only visually examine about 60% of each tooth, leaving 40% percent of each posterior tooth unexamined. It is especially important because these inter-proximal spaces are particularly susceptible to cavities due to food and bacteria becoming trapped between the teeth; especially if you don’t floss regularly. And yes you really do need these x-rays done on a regular basis because no matter how super your dentist is, we guarantee that they are not from the planet Krypton.
Why do some people avoid dental x-rays?
In our experience we have found that patients have 4 basic fears keeping them from receiving their annual x-rays.
Fear of the Unknown, Fear of Financial Waste, Fear of Radiation, Fear of being Conned
“I’m afraid of what you’ll find!”
Never underestimate the power of denial! Many people suspect that they may have a dental issue but fear receiving unwelcome news. It’s an understandable feeling and is a feeling that we have all felt at one time or another in our lives.
But it’s important to remember that “simply because something is not known does not mean that it does not exist”.
If you have a significant dental issue the problem will never resolve without professional care and will only become worse without intervention.
Often times the news is not as bad as was imagined and many patients feel more empowered to make better informed treatment decisions based on accurate and complete diagnostics.
“I think x-rays are a waste of money.”
While being financially responsible is an admirable quality; it is important not to let your fiscal sense outweigh your good sense.
In reality, receiving your yearly bitewings is a very economical way to discover problems early when the issue is small and relatively inexpensive to repair. Repairing a cavity for around $175-$300 in under an hour is a far more economical repair and better use of your time as opposed to waiting until the cavity is so large that it requires a root canal, permanent filling and/or a crown. These types of larger repairs cost upwards of $1,500-$3,500 and require no less than 4 separate visits to the dentist.
Additionally if you have dental insurance, in the vast majority of cases, the insurance will pay 70%-80% for the repair of a cavity however for more extensive services such as a crown most dental insurance plans will 50% or less.
“I don’t understand when the dentist shows things on the x-rays, I think he might be ripping me off!”
First, if you suspect that you may be getting scammed, the best thing you can do is to seek a second opinion. If you have had x-rays and have paid any outstanding balance to your dental office you have a legal right to have a copy of those x-rays within a timely manner. We recommend getting your x-rays emailed directly to your email address so you can share them at your discretion. If you or your friends don’t know another dentist you can get another opinion from our office. Simply call to arrange to have your x-rays sent over for review.
When you’re not an expert in a particular field it is only natural to feel overwhelmed and outmatched. Many of us have experienced this at one time or another when getting our car repaired simply because most of us have a limited understanding of automobiles and the same applies to receiving treatment recommendations from the dentist.
Many folks fear that simply because they don’t necessarily know how to read an x-ray that when the dentist comes in showing the patient an issue on an x-ray that they could possibly be getting scammed. But in the current age of today’s technology there is absolutely no reason that if your dentist sees it on the radiography that you should have any trouble seeing what he sees. Modern x-rays can be magnified, highlighted, contrasted, and colorized so that even if you’ve never seen a dental x-ray, you have the ability to see and comprehend what your dentist is showing you.
“I’m concerned about radiation.”
Fear of radiation dosage is understandable especially if you are not fully informed on the subject. Most people with this fear often do not realize that they are actually being bombarded with radiation all day everyday and there’s no escaping it!
Background radiation and cosmic radiation occur in nature. Radioactive materials, mainly naturally occurring potassium-40, are in our bodies as well. Radiation is measured in millirem and the average annual radiation dose per person in the U.S. is 620 millirem. For patients receiving their once annual bitewings they will receive less than 0.5 millirem. The radiation received per year for standard dental x-rays is far less than wearing a luminous wristwatch for a year (.06 millirem) or spending a year at the beach (30 millirem). So the next time you’re getting your dental x-rays know that you are completely safe and close your eyes, sit back, relax and imagine that you’re at the beach!
All jokes aside and with all sincerity whenever a medical professional asks you to make an appointment for a CT scan, or a mammogram or any other diagnostic x-ray go and get it done! Physicians are being indiscriminate when ordering an x-ray and know the risk is minimal compared to the potential benefit to you.
We live in a wonderful and marvelous time. The advancements in x-ray technology have helped to heal more bodies and have help to save an incalculable number of lives.
Are You Searching For A Martinsburg Area Dentist For You Or Your Family?
If you’re searching for an experienced dentist please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
