Radiology in Dentistry: Importance of X-ray and Preparations for Dental Surgery

This article discusses the importance of x-ray in dentistry and the preparations required for dental surgery. It covers the relevant information considered before an x-ray, the additional information required, the quality of the equipment, and the instructions given to the patient. The article also explores the standard procedures and concludes with the significance of radiology in dentistry.

Running head: RADIOLOGY
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note:

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Introduction:
Over the decade, the importance of x-ray in the dentistry domain has increased
exponentially. Chang et al. (2017), highlighted that dental radiography is commonly used by
dentists to evaluate the hidden structures, malignant or benign masses, bone loss. The case study
represents the dental problem of Mathew who fell in the school play garden and his front teeth
become a bit loose due to the incidents. He has been a regular patient for seven years, has had X-
rays previously in relation to his eruption pattern. Upon examination, it was observed that he
requires an x-ray to identify the potential damage caused by fall for further dental surgery
(Reichart et al., 2016). This paper will illustrate the information relevant before the x-ray, the
technical quality of modification of standard procedure in following paragraphs.
Discussion:
Relevant information considered before x-ray:
Before a patient is required to x-ray, the age of the patient is crucial to estimate the
exposure and its side effects. In the current context, the patient is 10 years old who is most prone
to the physical disabilities because of x-ray and therefore, modern x-ray units using ALARA
principles (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) is required to apply(Neto et al., 2017). Dental
examination routine of the patients and previous medical histories of the patient is required to
prepare the patient for the x-ray. Brasileiro et al. (2019),highlighted that if the patient had
recently done an x-ray, then it is required to avoid x-ray. In the current context, Mathew has
done x-ray before because of his eruption pattern and therefore, the timeline of x-ray is required
for conducting the recent x-ray. Moreover, before preparing the patient for x-ray, it is crucial to
asses other physical disabilities of the patient since x-ray influence other physical disabilities

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(Berkhout et al., 2015).The positioning of the tongue greatly influence the radio imaging quality
and therefore, the tongue positions of the patient are required to ask. In the current context,
Matthew has a large tongue and therefore, the face positioning of Matthew should be differently
placed to avoid imaging error. Moreover, the procedures regarding the x-ray required to explain
to patients and family members before x-ray to obtain the consent (Pauwels, 2015).
The additional information required to obtain:
These formations are not sufficient to operate the x-ray. Therefore, additional information
is required to successfully conduct x-ray procedure. In the current context, apart from the fall in
the clinical ground, no information was provided from the Mathews side to perform the x-ray.
Therefore, previous periodontal or endodontic treatment is required to obtain from the family
members of Mathew such as his father (Chang et al., 2017). The previous x-ray details of the
patient have required History of pain or trauma of the patient required to obtain from Mathew
and his fathers. Familial history of dental anomalies required to obtain from the patients and
father. Moreover, the assessment of the patient for the cavity or gum diseases is required through
before conducting x-ray procedure.
Quality of the equipment:
It is essential to clarify the technical quality of the x-ray for the dental x-ray because the
higher exposure to x-ray may lead to the health issues such as cancer, acute radiation syndromes
which further causes GI tract, bone marrow, and neurovascular disease depending on the dose of
exposure (Kasat et al., 2017). Moreover, other technical faults such as error positioning of any
equipment give rise to error imaging of teeth structure and other dysfunction of x-ray equipment
can give rise to health hazard or accidents. Therefore it is crucial to check all of the technical
qualities with medical technicians or responsible person before conducting x-ray procedure. For

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each x-ray machines, equipment exposure setting for toddlers required to assess by following
ALARA principles to provide modern x-ray dose to patients (Berkhout, 2015).
The instructions given to Mathew:
Since Mathew is 10 years children who are able to understand the verbal communications
and not mature enough to understand the complex instruction of dentist. Therefore, in this case,
verbal communication can be done with Mathew to provide him with all of the relevant
istryuctions regarding the x-ray to avoid error free imaging (Berkhout et al., 2015). The written
instruction can be given to the Mathew so that he can follow the instruction after reading this.
Moreover, to follow the instruction, visual pictures can be shown to him and the dentist can
physically demonstrate the instruction to gain an understanding of the x-ray procedure for
obtaining error-free images before surgery. It will easier for Mathew to follow visual
instructions to adopt it and physical demonstration will give him a more clear understanding of
the instructions (Pauwels, 2015). Moreover, it will also give Mathew a sense of security and
comfort to follow the instructions and reduce the previous awkward feeling he experienced in
previous x-ray encounters.
The review of the standard:
The major standard procedure involves the contrast of image formation. It was observed
that during image formation, the increased contrast leads to the deformation of physical as well
as genetic deformations and last burn. To adjust the contrast according to dose, ionizing radiation
medical exposure regulation (IRMER 2018) can be implemented and contrast can be adjusted
(Goulston et al.,2016). Sometimes, during X-ray procedures, a considerate number of younger
adults of infants become traumatized or awkward because of the procedures they have to go
through. Therefore, physicians required to build a therapeutic bond with the children before x-

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ray and physicians with the pediatric demonstration skills is required to recruit for reducing the
trauma of the children.
Conclusion:
Thus, it can be concluded that radiology has become a hospital in the dentistry to
examine the hidden structure of the teeth. The case study represents the dental problem of
Mathew who falls in the school play garden and front teeth become a bit loose due to the
incidents. Therefore, before x-ray previous x-ray history, previous trauma history, history of the
genetic disease is required to obtain for avoiding erroneous results. For explaining the instruction
to the children, the instructions can be demonstrated through visual representations such as video
or pictures. To improve the procedures skill professionals and contrast adjustment is required.

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